The Woodlands, Texas-Huntsman Corp.is to make a major increase in capacity for MDI (methylene diphenyl diisocyanate), adding a total of 160 kilotonnes per annum at its US and Netherlands operations. The new capacity-100 ktpa at Rozenburg in the Netherlands and 60 ktpa at Geismar, Lousiana-will be added gradually, starting in the first quarter of 2005. Huntsman said it aims to finish the project by the end of 2006, in a 16 March announcement. "Strong demand for MDI in all regions, but particularly in Asia, has prompted these capacity increases" commented Tony Hankins, president of Huntsman's Polyurethanes Division, in the announcement. He stressed Huntsman's "leading global position" in MDI and said the group "is committed to the long-term growth of the industry." Capacity at Geismar and Rozenburg will reach 450 and 400 ktpa, respectively, Huntsman's previously announced MDI joint venture in Caojing in China, due on stream mid-2006, will provide another 114 ktpa of MDI, pushing the group's total capacity to over 950 ktpa. "
