MIDLAND, Mich. (Feb. 7, 2011)—Dow Chemical Co. will eventually build plants to make MDI (methylene diphenyl diisocyanate) at its complexes in China and Saudi Arabia, according to Andrew Liveris, Dow president, chairman and CEO.
Discussing Dow's polyurethane strategy in relation to both Saudi Arabia and China, Liveris, acknowledged that supply of MDI is tight at present.
He said Dow will not build anything new in MDI rapidly, as “They take a long time to build and they're tricky facilities.”
The Saudi complex is Dow's next big effort, he said. “Between now and then on MDI, in particular, we're working with others in the industry,” he said. “We're not losing any ability to grow because of our arrangements that we have out in the industry.”
“We know we'll have to put an MDI tranche in the Saudi facility in particular and ultimately, the China facility,” he said.
Liveris also said that in propylene oxide, Dow is in decent shape because of its facility in Thailand.