MIDLAND, Mich. (April 13) — Dow Polyurethanes, a business unit of The Dow Chemical Co., will conduct a seven-day maintenance at its polymeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate production facility in Freeport, Texas, beginning April 15.
Tom Feige, North American product marketing manager for Dow Polyurethanes said the maintenance is part of the businesses' commitment to being an efficient and dependable supplier.
Global demand for MDI, driven by demand for rigid foams used in construction materials, appliances and adhesives and sealants, is increasing at 6 percent to 7 percent annually, the company said. To address this growth, Dow said in January it will expand capacity at its Freeport facility. The company said it will likely take 36 months to complete the project.
The expansion, which will result in an additional 250 million pounds of MDI capacity annually produced at the site, will be made in two stages. The first is expected to be completed in early 2008, said Steven English, business director of Dow Polyurethanes, a business unit of Dow Chemical.