Dow to build new MDI facility in Texas

DOW has announced that it will build a new methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) facility in Texas, US.

The integrated MDI distillation and prepolymers plant will be built at Dow’s manufacturing site in Freeport. It will replace Dow’s current facility in La Porte, Texas, and Dow expects to shut down its polyurethane assets at the La Porte site when the new site starts up in 2023.

Jane Palmieri, President of Dow’s Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure operating segment, said: “This MDI investment optimises our existing asset infrastructure and enhances our global polyurethanes leadership position, further enabling us to support downstream systems customers’ growth. The back integration at the Freeport site creates a cost-competitive supply of key upstream polyurethane raw materials, ensures a reliable supply position to support our growth in downstream high-value polyurethane markets, and delivers a more sustainable production process.”

Dow also expects that its carbon footprint and water usage will be reduced at the new facility by using existing thermal energy at the Freeport site, increasing production efficiency, and eliminating the transport requirement for raw materials.