HOUSTON (ICIS)--Huntsman is expecting to complete the mechanical construction phase of its methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) splitter at its Geismar, Louisiana, facility by April 2022, company leadership said reporting Q4 earnings on Tuesday.
"This year, in the second quarter we will complete our Geismar Louisiana, MDI splitter project which will expand our differentiated Polyurethanes business in the Americas," said Huntsman.
The company stated that the splitter is expected to become operational by the end of Q2 2022, aligned with the mid-year startup announced last year.
MDI is consumed mainly in polyurethane foams, which account for about 80% of global consumption. Rigid foams, the largest outlet for MDI, are used mostly in construction, refrigeration, packaging and insulation. MDI is also used to make binders, elastomers, adhesives, sealants, coatings and fibres.
Major US MDI producers include BASF, Covestro, Dow and Huntsman.
Thumbnail shows polyurethane spray foam, which uses MDI. Image by Al Greenwood