LUDWIGSHAFEN, Germany—German diisocyanates major BASF S.E. intends to restart production of TDI at its Ludgwisgshafen plant "in the next few weeks," according to news release.
The company said that production at the 300,000 metric tons per year plant stopped Nov. 22 because of "technical difficulties." BASF appears to have completed analysis of the damaged equipment which was enclosed in a safety chamber and noted that the damaged reactor will be repaired.
A new reactor will be ordered, but this will have a long delivery time and is expected to be completed in 2018.
BASF has been supplying customers from its global network of TDI production facilities.
The Ludwigshafen plant started operation in November 2015.The contract for plant construction was awarded to Fluor Corp. in 2012, and construction was delayed in 2013 when an explosion occurred on site.
The firm declined to comment on whether it was seeking compensation from the original contractor or whether the plant was insured.