Covestro is investing in a new production plant for aniline, an important precursor material for numerous chemical products including MDI (methylene diphenyl diisocyanate).

The latter in turn is a precursor for hard polyurethane foam, used among other things for thermal insulation of buildings and insulation in the cold chain. The new plant is expected to enter service in 2022 and will create additional employment.

“Our site in Antwerp plays a crucial role in the Covestro supply and production network, and this investment ensures that it will continue to fulfil this role in future,” said Volker Weintritt, Managing Director of Covestro in Antwerpen. “The expansion of our aniline production will ensure a sustainable, efficient supply for our European MDI network, including our Spanish plant in Tarragona, where the MDI production capacity will also be ramped up.

As the European hub for aniline the Antwerp facility benefits from the adjacent infrastructure and logistics in the heart of the port, where Covestro also has direct access to the necessary raw materials. The design and the process technology for the new unit will be based on the best available technology from Covestro in terms of process safety and energy efficiency.

This is the third big announcement for the Antwerp chemical cluster in just a few weeks. Last month Borealis announced a €1bn investment for construction of a new propylene plant, while Sea-Mol chose Antwerp for construction of a tank storage terminal.

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