BASF and Dow plan TDI plant

and

are to conduct a joint feasibility study for the construction of a production plant for toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and precursors at one of their integrated sites in Europe.

The proposed plant would have an annual capacity of 300,000 metric tons and would be the largest facility of its kind in the world. Should the project prove viable, the facility would start operations in 2011.

“Although this is an early-stage feasibility study, we believe that the world’s top two chemical companies can create a world-class TDI facility that has outstanding economic and technological competitiveness,” said Pat Dawson, business vice president, Dow Polyurethanes.

Following the joint development of a process to produce propylene oxide on the basis of hydrogen peroxide (HPPO technology), this current venture is the second recent cooperation between Dow and BASF that focuses on the polyurethanes industry.

In September 2006, Dow and BASF held a groundbreaking ceremony for their first world-scale HPPO plant at BASF's site in Antwerp, Belgium. Dow and BASF are considering the development of additional HPPO projects in other regions, including Asia.