作者: admin

HOUSTON (ICIS)–Covestro has declared a force majeure on methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) and MDI-related products in the US effective as of 13 October, according to a company spokesperson.

The spokesperson attributed the force majeure declaration to an unforeseen shortage of raw materials used in the production of MDI.

According to the ICIS Supply and Demand Database, Covestro can produce 320,000 tonnes/year of MDI from its site in Baytown, Texas.

MDI is consumed mainly in polyurethane foams, which account for about 80% of global consumption. Rigid foams, the largest outlet for MDI, are used mostly in construction, refrigeration, packaging and insulation. MDI is also used to make binders, elastomers, adhesives, sealants, coatings and fibres.

Major US MDI producers include BASF, Covestro, Dow and Huntsman.

Thumbnail image shows polyurethane foam, which is made with MDI. Source: Al Greenwood

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), 揮發性有機化合物,是指多種亦揮發性有機化合物的總稱。在製造產品過程中常使用的溶劑，如:甲醛、甲苯、二甲苯、正丁醇、乙酸乙酯…等，都包含在VOCs裏頭，長期處於高密度VOCs環境之中，除了容易出現身體不適、噁心等症狀，更容易引發癌症等重大疾病。

近年來，環保意識抬頭，許多歐美國家或是跨國企業對於消費性產品的規範越來越嚴格，除了重金屬、鹵素之外，對產品中總揮發性有機化合物(TVOCs)釋放量率的規範也越來越嚴苛，像是三星對於產品的驗收條件就增加了VOCs(TVOC)的測試 閱讀全文 “頂空分析儀器相層析法-揮發性有機化合物VOCs的檢測辦法” →

There is a technology, very special – in the field of basic chemicals, if your daily life leaves it, the quality of life will be greatly reduced.

This field, called polyurethane, and this technology, is the phosgene chemical technology for the production of polyurethane key material MDI. Countless downstream consumer industries are inseparable from it. For example: your home’s ceilings, walls, refrigerators, sofas, mattresses, as well as the sneakers, shoes we wear, the cotton pads for girls, bags, and even Bra… The main product is MDI, the chemical name is ” Diphenylmethane diisocyanate”.

閱讀全文 “About the key MDI industry of polyurethane” →

為把握二苯基甲烷二異氰酸酯（MDI）市場的強勁增長情勢，科思創正加速其投資活動。這個月，科思創監事會批准了一項約15億歐元的投資計畫，將在美國貝敦興建一座世界級的MDI工廠。該投資將成為公司歷史上最大的單筆投資，新工廠將位於現有的科思創貝敦基地內。

新生產線產能為50萬噸/年，生產預計於2024年啟動。同時，科思創將關閉一個較舊且相對低效、產能為9萬噸/年的MDI裝置。因此，到2024年，科思創在NAFTA地區（美國、加拿大及墨西哥）的MDI總產能將達到約74萬噸/年，屆時將成為該地區最大的MDI生產商。科思創也將因此增強其全球的產能領導地位。

「在可預見的未來，市場對創新型MDI材料的需求將繼續增長，產能利用率也因此有望保持在具有吸引力的水準。我們之前已宣佈將大幅增加資本支出，現在正是時候將其付諸行動。」執行長施樂文博士（Dr. Markus Steilemann）表示，「憑藉新的貝敦MDI生產線，我們將進一步鞏固在聚氨酯領域的全球領導地位，為客戶提供更好地服務並創造長期股東價值。」

閱讀全文 “科思創斥資15億歐元 在美興建世界級MDI工廠” →

“從90年代中期，我們（亨斯邁）就已經涉足到中國了。在中國的第一個工廠，就設立（上海）閔行開發區。”亨斯邁聚氨酯事業部中國區總經理張駿，日前在上海舉行的亨斯邁媒體交流會上介紹。

亨斯邁集團（下稱“亨斯邁”）創始於1970年，提供包括化學品、塑料、紡織品、鞋類、油漆與塗料、建築材料等。公司總部位於美國猶他州鹽湖城，全球員工人數超過1萬人。2017年亨斯邁的營業收入約為83.58億美元。1992年9月，亨斯邁聚氨酯（中國）有限公司在上海市閔行區市場監督管理局登記成立。

提起亨斯邁在上海的足跡，亨斯邁亞太區研發中心總監盛恩善介紹，1995年落滬的是一座聚氨酯事業部系統工廠，當時總面積約8000多平方米。

2006年亨斯邁在上海漕涇投資了第一套MDI聚氨酯工廠，據張駿回憶，這應該是所有外資企業在中國投資的第一套MDI工廠。2008年，亨斯邁將位於新加坡的亞太研發中心遷至中國上海。

“2013年的時候，我們做了一個很重大的決定——把所有在亞太區的研發活動全部集中到閔行開發區，就是我們稱為北區的亞太研發中心，目前已有約200多人。 ”盛恩善告訴澎湃新聞記者。

亨斯邁化學研發中心（上海）有限公司百度街景截圖

閱讀全文 “亨斯邁聚氨酯亞太區總裁：完整的亞太總部一定會設在上海” →

In the foam field, most of them are mainly traditional TDI foam, and the shortcomings of this type of raw material foam are less friendly to the manufacturing environment and people, and are also highly regulated chemical raw materials and manufacturing industries.

European countries have begun to replace the old TDI foam manufacturing process with the MDI process foam. Although the cost is slightly higher, MDI is a better alternative and option for the people and the environment to be extended to the user.

AirCloud™ technology foam combines the characteristics of MDI. In addition to the advantages of traditional TDI in the manufacturing environment and human harm, it also provides support and comfort and durability, and can provide meticulous soft and hard according to demand. And the characteristics of quick rebound, slow rebound, and hydrophilicity are more suitable for Taiwan’s climate and usage habits!