PHILADELPHIA—Chemtura Corp. plans to expand its Adiprene low free methylene diphenyl diisocyanate polyurethane elastomers production capacity at its Latina, Italy, facility.
Due for completion by the end of 2016, the expansion will complement Chemtura's existing LF MDI production capacity at its plant in Gastonia, N.C. and ensure a flexible, reliable supply of the product for the firm's customers, the company said.
Chemtura said it manufactures the broadest line of low free prepolymers, including product families based on low free TDI, MDI, PPDI and HDI for cast elastomer applications and benefits from one of the most efficient and effective low free manufacturing processes in the industry.
Adiprene LF MDI prepolymers are part of the company's premium MbOCA replacement technology, which offers improved processing over MbOCA-free alternatives and outstanding performance in the most demanding urethane applications, Chemtura claimed.
The firm said its increased manufacturing footprint in Italy will position the company to best respond to growth in customer demand following the restriction of MbOCA use within the European Union REACH legislation application countries for polyurethanes produced by Nov. 22, 2017.
The expansion in Italy also allows the Gastonia facility greater flexibility to balance production between the different low free prepolymer chemistries.