BASF and Huntsman open new Chinese crude MDI and TDI plant

A $1billion project involving BASF, Huntsman and three Chinese partners has been opened.

The integrated isocyanates complex at Shanghai Chemical Industry Park has a capacity of 240,000tpa of crude MDI and 160,000tpa of TDI and will supply China’s growing market for polyurethanes, which is predicted to grow at 10% per year up to 2015.

The complex is the second largest investment by BASF in China. By 2010, BASF aims to generate 10% of its global sales and earnings from activities there.

The three Chinese partners are Shanghai Hua Yi Group, Sinopec Shanghai Gao Qiao Petrochemical Corporation and Shanghai Chloro-Alkali Chemical Co. Ltd.