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The “step-up” in polyurethane precursor production was a 2006 industrial expansion in Shanghai—not a current production announcement. Huntsman, BASF and three Chinese partners launched an integrated isocyanates complex at Shanghai Chemical Industry Park, with announced annual capacity of 240,000 metric tons of crude MDI. A contemporaneous American Chemical Society report put the complex’s TDI capacity at 160,000 metric tons per year.
What the 2006 expansion involved
On 18 August 2006, Huntsman, BASF, Shanghai Hua Yi, Sinopec Shanghai Gao Qiao Petrochemical and Shanghai Chlor-Alkali marked startup of an integrated isocyanates complex at Shanghai Chemical Industry Park. Huntsman reported that the project represented $1 billion in capital expenditure and included capacity to produce 240,000 metric tons of crude MDI annually. Huntsman’s 18 August 2006 announcement also reported 28 million working hours since groundbreaking in spring 2004.
The complex was made up of separate joint ventures covering MDI finishing and prepolymers, crude MDI production, and an MDI finishing/TDI plant. Huntsman’s announcement identifies the TDI plant and its nitric acid and dinitrotoluene precursors but does not state a TDI capacity. The American Chemical Society’s Chemical & Engineering News report, published 23 August 2006, gives the complex’s TDI capacity as 160,000 metric tons per year. That figure is reported by C&EN, rather than in Huntsman’s release.
What MDI and TDI do
MDI and TDI are isocyanates used as precursors in polyurethane manufacturing. The 2006 Huntsman announcement named automotive, construction, refrigerators and other appliances, upholstery, and footwear among the markets served by polyurethane products made with these materials. A 2023 joint announcement also cited automotive, construction, refrigerators, and footwear.
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The announced capacities describe the scale of the Shanghai complex, not verified production in any later year. Capacity is not the same as actual output: the sources describe the project and its initial ramp-up, not sustained utilization or current production.
Startup and commercial operation
Huntsman said the complex’s MDI plants entered commercial operation on 18 October 2006. The company reported that operating rates were building rapidly according to plan and that product was being processed and supplied to the Chinese market. Its CEO, Peter R. Huntsman, said the company expected the plants to reach full design capacity throughout 2007 and beyond. That was a management expectation at the time; the reviewed announcements do not establish that the target was achieved.
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How the arrangement was later set to change
In a joint release dated 31 July 2023, BASF and Huntsman described a planned separation of the Caojing MDI production arrangement. Under the plan, Huntsman and Shanghai Chlor-Alkali would take over the original MDI plant, which began commercial production in 2006; BASF, Shanghai Hua Yi and Sinopec would take over the plant added in 2018. The announcement said the new arrangement was subject to approvals and other closing conditions. The 2023 joint release does not, by itself, establish the exact ownership or operating status in 2026.
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What the headline means today
“Polyurethane precursor production stepped up” refers to the Shanghai complex’s 2006 startup and capacity announcement. The Chemistry World listing dated 22 August 2006 paired the headline with the subtitle “China on track for world-beating polyurethane market.” Its listing repeated an expectation that China’s polyurethane market would grow about 10% annually through 2015; that was a forecast made at the time, not a current growth statistic or confirmation of what later occurred. The listing is the basis for the headline and date, while project details and figures above come from the dated company announcements and contemporaneous C&EN report.
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- The 4LB density also works well in floating decoy or taxidermy applications as well as many other sculpting, casting, carving and other filling applications
- All expansion rates and times given are temperature critical. Temperatures below 75° F will lower the expansion rate therefore requiring more foam. Ideal working temperature is 75° to 80° F or above. Accurate measuring of these products is extremely critical. Working time before foaming: approx. 45 seconds Time before full expansion: approx. 5 minutes
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- The 4LB density also works well in floating decoy or taxidermy applications as well as many other sculpting, casting, carving and other filling applications
- All expansion rates and times given are temperature critical. Temperatures below 75° F will lower the expansion rate therefore requiring more foam. Ideal working temperature is 75° to 80° F or above. Accurate measuring of these products is extremely critical. Working time before foaming: approx. 45 seconds Time before full expansion: approx. 5 minutes
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