Bayer opens polyisocyanates unit for production of polyurethane coatings

Bayer MaterialScience has inaugurated a manufacturing facility for polyisocyanates at Ankleshwar, in the state of Gujarat, India. Polyisocyanates are used as raw materials for the production of polyurethane coatings and adhesives. With the investment of approximately €20 million, the company wants to expand its business in India and to participate in the strong growth of this local market for coatings and adhesives. The plant will produce Desmodur N grades based on aliphatic hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI). These raw materials are used for automotive, industrial and plastics coatings. Furthermore, Desmodur L grades will be manufactured from aromatic toluelene diisocyanate (TDI). These are used as raw materials for wood and furniture coatings as well as for the formulation of adhesives for flexible packaging. The initial capacity amounts to 15,000 tons per year. It will be increased in stages in the coming years in accordance with the predicted growth for polyurethane coatings and adhesives. The plant employs 35 people and adheres to state-of-the-art standards in terms of production processes, quality and safety. Ankleshwar was selected as the location because it is one of the biggest chemical manufacturing centers in India.