Corrected: BASF reduces MDI production at Antwerp

23 October 2008 17:48  [Source: ICIS news]

Correction: In the ICIS news story headlined "BASF reduces MDI production at Schwarzheide" dated 23 October 2008, please read the headline as "...at Antwerp" instead of "...at Schwarzheide". Please read in the first paragraph ...Antwerp plant in Belgium... instead of ...Schwarzheide plant in Germany... In the fifth paragraph ...The Schwarzheide plant has an MDI capacity of 35,000 tonnes/year, according to ICIS plants and projects... has been deleted. A corrected story follows..  

LONDON (ICIS news)--BASF has reduced methyl-di-p-phenylene isocyanate (MDI) production rates at its Antwerp plant in Belgium as a result of feedstock issues, the company confirmed on Thursday.

“BASF is forced to reduce MDI production due to a difficult raw-material situation, said a company spokesman.

“[In addition….] offtake of by-products in isocyanate production by third-parties is getting very difficult, therefore, the substantial reduction of production rates is immediately necessary.

"Our goal is reliable supply to customers in this situation. The inventory situation is, therefore, being closely monitored to minimize impact on customers. We currently expect to fully fulfil customer demand,” added the source.

Exact operating rates were not disclosed by the company.

This week both crude and pure MDI markets were reported to be stable, with prices pegged at €1,945-2,000/tonne FD (free delivery) NWE (northwest Europe) for crude MDI, and €1,955-2,050/tonne FD NWE for pure MDI.

($1 = €0.78)

For more information on MDI please visit ICIS chemical intelligence
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By: Stuart Moir
+44 20 8652 3214

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