Map Ta Phut, Thailand – Covestro has started up production of Naphthylen-Diisocyanate (NDI), intended for its Vulkollan raw material, at a newly built plant at its existing Map Ta Phut facility in Thailand. Groundbreaking on the site began almost exactly two years ago, in late 2020. Covestro coyly described its investment in the plant as being ‘in the high-mid, double-digit million Euro range’ (from which we can infer an investment exceeding €50m). It is one of several recent investments by the company into cast PU raw materials, following investments at its Spanish site near Barcelona, and its site in Caojing near Shanghai, China.
‘We believe in the growth of the cast elastomers market and want to meet the increasing demand. With this new production plant, we achieve a significant improvement of our global infrastructure and strengthen our presence for high-performance elastomers in the Asia-Pacific region,’ said Covestro CCO, Sucheta Govil. ‘This investment also allows us to better serve our customers, improve our customer service and it supports the growth of applications and industries with high-end performance requirements.’
Covestro starts NDI production in Thailand
Cast elastomers: the new Thailand plant is Covestro's third recent investment into cast PU raw materials
Coasting ahead: the company's Vulkollan elastomers are used to make roller coaster wheels, among other applications
‘Our Map Ta Phut site in Thailand has been well prepared to grow and is now proud and ready to contribute to the elastomers business while supporting Covestro's overall strategy to strengthen its solutions and specialties segment,' said Dr Timo Slawinski, site manager, Covestro Map Ta Phut.
Map Ta Phut is a town in the Rayong province of eastern Thailand. The Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate, where Covestro has its facilities, is the largest industrial park in the country. The estate is home to a deep-sea port and over 150 factories, including oil refineries, a gas separation plant, and several petrochemical facilities.
Covestro’s new Map Ta Phut plant employs more than 25 people. Vulkollan elastomers are intended for a diverse range of applications, including forklift wheels, roller coaster wheels, and couplings and seals for the engineering industry.
