German-based Bayer MaterialScience AG has expanded its global annual capacity for the production of the polyurethane raw material diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) by a further 36,000 tons per year by introducing a number of ‘debottlenecking’ measures. These were based on process improvements and did not require any major investment.

“We want to grow with the market by ensuring an efficient utilisation of our available capacities. The recent expansion project is one of several measures that have enabled us to significantly increase our total annual capacity in the last two years," said Peter Vanacker, head of the Polyurethanes Business Unit at Bayer MaterialScience.

The company is also building a new production facility for MDI at its integrated site in Shanghai, China, which is set to be the biggest of its kind in the world, with an annual capacity of 350,000 tons. It is scheduled to go on stream in 2008.