Company News

June 11, 2019

Geismar MDI Update

BASF to launch second phase of MDI production facility

June 10, 2019

1:44 PM

BASF will proceed with the second phase of its production expansion for methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) at its Louisiana chemical complex in Geismar. BASF expects to double its production of MDI from 300,000 metric tons to around 600,000 metric tons through the multiphase expansion project announced in January 2018. MDI is used by industrial customers to produce polyurethanes, which contribute to improved insulation for appliances, lighter materials for cars and energy efficiency in buildings.

BASF will make an $87 million capital investment to continue the expansion of the MDI plant that has been a central aspect of its Geismar manufacturing facility for more than 30 years. The company committed $150 million to the first phase of the MDI expansion. That project is expected to be finalized in the first half of 2020. The second phase of the project will retain 1,238 existing BASF jobs at Geismar, the company’s largest manufacturing site in North America. Construction is expected to start by the end of 2019, with completion scheduled for 2021. The company estimates the project will support 170 construction jobs.

“BASF has called Louisiana home for more than 60 years, and this latest expansion at its Geismar plant will help to keep the company competitive in its global marketplace,” said Gov. John Bel Edwards. “From low operational costs to effective infrastructure and logistics, Louisiana provides industries across a broad spectrum of manufacturing specialties with the assets they need to succeed. We welcome this latest expansion at BASF’s Geismar facility and look forward to the continued economic impact of company operations for Ascension Parish and the Capital Region.”

Since 2009, BASF has invested more than $800 million in major capital projects in Ascension Parish. For this expansion project, the company is expected to utilize the state’s Industrial Tax Exemption Program.

https://www.bicmagazine.com/expansions/downstream/basf-to-launch-second-phase-of-mdi-production-facility/

June 7, 2019

Dow Links with Univar

Dow Selects Univar Solutions as a Key Channel to Market for Polyurethanes in North America

Dow approves Univar Solutions to carry range of polyols and isocyanates in U.S. and Canada

MIDLAND, Mich. and DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., May 28, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Dow (NYSE: DOW) and Univar Inc. (NYSE: UNVR) (“Univar Solutions”) today announced Dow has selected Univar Solutions as a key North American channel to market, distributing Dow’s broad product portfolio of polyols and isocyanates effective April 1, 2019. Univar Solutions, a company recently created from the combination of Univar and Nexeo Solutions, brings some of the best customer service offerings in the industry and is ready to serve as an authorized channel for Dow’s breakthrough polyurethane products across the U.S. and Canada.

Dow Selects Univar Solutions as a Key Channel to Market for Polyurethanes in North America
Dow Selects Univar Solutions as a Key Channel to Market for Polyurethanes in North America

Univar Solutions is a leading global chemical and ingredient solutions provider, combining a comprehensive logistical offering with expert-level technical know-how.

“The power of Dow’s wide ranging solution sets paired with the customer experience that Univar Solutions offers, is the collaboration needed to help downstream formulators innovate and grow,” said Caio Sedeno, North America commercial director for Dow Polyurethanes. “In CASE formulations, we have a broad range of polyols, formulated polyol blends and pre-polymer offerings that will help deliver on ever-advancing application needs.”

As both Univar and Dow emerge from recent merger and acquisition transactions, their priorities are aligned and remain clear: offering solutions and experiences to their customers that help drive value.

“Through our mission to streamline, innovate and grow, Univar Solutions focuses on enriching the buying experience to create an ecosystem of transparency for our customers and suppliers,” said Mark Fisher, president, Univar Solutions USA. “Combining the product and innovation breadth of Dow with Univar Solutions’ formulation expertise in our Technical Solution Centers, as well as through the digital tools that we deploy, will be a winning, value creating partnership for the industry.”

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dow-selects-univar-solutions-as-a-key-channel-to-market-for-polyurethanes-in-north-america-300856736.html

June 7, 2019

Dow Links with Univar

Dow Selects Univar Solutions as a Key Channel to Market for Polyurethanes in North America

Dow approves Univar Solutions to carry range of polyols and isocyanates in U.S. and Canada

MIDLAND, Mich. and DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., May 28, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Dow (NYSE: DOW) and Univar Inc. (NYSE: UNVR) (“Univar Solutions”) today announced Dow has selected Univar Solutions as a key North American channel to market, distributing Dow’s broad product portfolio of polyols and isocyanates effective April 1, 2019. Univar Solutions, a company recently created from the combination of Univar and Nexeo Solutions, brings some of the best customer service offerings in the industry and is ready to serve as an authorized channel for Dow’s breakthrough polyurethane products across the U.S. and Canada.

Dow Selects Univar Solutions as a Key Channel to Market for Polyurethanes in North America
Dow Selects Univar Solutions as a Key Channel to Market for Polyurethanes in North America

Univar Solutions is a leading global chemical and ingredient solutions provider, combining a comprehensive logistical offering with expert-level technical know-how.

“The power of Dow’s wide ranging solution sets paired with the customer experience that Univar Solutions offers, is the collaboration needed to help downstream formulators innovate and grow,” said Caio Sedeno, North America commercial director for Dow Polyurethanes. “In CASE formulations, we have a broad range of polyols, formulated polyol blends and pre-polymer offerings that will help deliver on ever-advancing application needs.”

As both Univar and Dow emerge from recent merger and acquisition transactions, their priorities are aligned and remain clear: offering solutions and experiences to their customers that help drive value.

“Through our mission to streamline, innovate and grow, Univar Solutions focuses on enriching the buying experience to create an ecosystem of transparency for our customers and suppliers,” said Mark Fisher, president, Univar Solutions USA. “Combining the product and innovation breadth of Dow with Univar Solutions’ formulation expertise in our Technical Solution Centers, as well as through the digital tools that we deploy, will be a winning, value creating partnership for the industry.”

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dow-selects-univar-solutions-as-a-key-channel-to-market-for-polyurethanes-in-north-america-300856736.html

June 3, 2019

Tosoh Announces MDI Increase

NEWS RELEASE

May 31, 2019

Tosoh to Increase Prices for Millionate MDI Grades

Tosoh Specialty Chemicals USA, Inc. is increasing its prices for Millionate MDI Grades in North
America. Effective June 15, 2019 or as contract terms allow, TSCU will increase the prices of MDI
grades by $0.20/kg.

Millionate MDI is widely used for the production of rigid, semi-rigid, and integral skin foams, as well as
coatings, adhesives and elastomers.

TOSOH CORPORATION

Tosoh Corporation is the parent company of a Japanese chemical and specialty products and materials
group that comprises over 100 companies worldwide and a multiethnic workforce of more than 12,000
people.

The parent company was established in 1935 and is listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock
Exchange. In the 80 years that we have been in business, we have built balanced product lines of
commodity chemicals for industry and of specialty products and materials for high technology and niche
markets.

Tosoh’s principal markets include the chemical and petrochemical, construction, automotive, consumer
electronics, information technology, bioscience, and environmental markets.

June 3, 2019

Tosoh Announces MDI Increase

NEWS RELEASE

May 31, 2019

Tosoh to Increase Prices for Millionate MDI Grades

Tosoh Specialty Chemicals USA, Inc. is increasing its prices for Millionate MDI Grades in North
America. Effective June 15, 2019 or as contract terms allow, TSCU will increase the prices of MDI
grades by $0.20/kg.

Millionate MDI is widely used for the production of rigid, semi-rigid, and integral skin foams, as well as
coatings, adhesives and elastomers.

TOSOH CORPORATION

Tosoh Corporation is the parent company of a Japanese chemical and specialty products and materials
group that comprises over 100 companies worldwide and a multiethnic workforce of more than 12,000
people.

The parent company was established in 1935 and is listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock
Exchange. In the 80 years that we have been in business, we have built balanced product lines of
commodity chemicals for industry and of specialty products and materials for high technology and niche
markets.

Tosoh’s principal markets include the chemical and petrochemical, construction, automotive, consumer
electronics, information technology, bioscience, and environmental markets.