US Dow to permanently shut down Freeport TDI plant in Q2

HOUSTON (ICIS news)–Dow Chemical has decided to permanently shut down its toluene diisocyanate (TDI) production plant in Freeport, Texas, in the second quarter, because production at the site is no longer economically viable, the company said on Wednesday in a statement.

“To remain competitive, businesses must continually optimise production units around the globe, and operate only those facilities that meet requirements for efficiency, overall cost-competitiveness and long-term sustainability,” according to a statement by Myra Dean, business public affairs leader for Dow Polyurethanes & Dow Formulated Systems.

Dow has secured an alternative supply source and will continue to provide consistency and supply reliability, the company said.

Dow said it is planning a seamless transition for customers, and there will be no changes in sales specifications, quality or logistics. Dow said it will continue to honour its contractual customer commitments for TDI.

Dow said it will continue to participate as a key player in the polyurethanes industry.

The Freeport facility is Dow’s sole TDI plant in the US.

Dow declined to comment on TDI production capacity at its Freeport plant. 

Other TDI producers include BASF and Bayer. 

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