Bayer supplies dry chlorine unit to Borsodchem

By David Reed, UT EditorLeverkusen, Germany-Bayer Technology Services GmbH is to build a chlorine-drying unit for BorsodChem, a diversified chemicals manufacturer based in Kazinbarcika, Hungary. It will comprise two drying towers and have a total capacity of 160 000 tonnes per year, and is expected to be commissioned later this year, according to an 11 May announcement from Bayer.No details were given of the applications planned for the chlorine, but BorsodChem is presently expanding its plant for making MDI (methylene diphenyl diisocyanate) to 160 ktpa. It recently announced plans to boost production of formaldehyde, another key raw material for MDI, but also uses chlorine in making TDI (toluene diisocyanate), and PVC (polyvinyl chloride).Bayer Technology Services says it offers fully-integrated solutions along the life cycle of chemical/pharmaceutical plants: from development through engineering and construction to process optimisation for existing plants.The Bayer subsidiary employs more than 2100 experts worldwide, at its headquarters in Leverkusen and other German locations, as well as in regional offices in Baytown, Texas; Antwerp, Belgium; Mexico City, Mexico; and Shanghai, People's Republic of China. Including the supply of energy services for all Bayer sites in Germany (only the first six months of 2004), total sales for the unit in 2004 were about €520 million ($668 million)."