European Chemical Industry News & Insights

BorsodChem Opens New TDI Plant

At a glance
  • BorsodChem invested over EUR 200 million in the new TDI plant.
  • The plant has an annual capacity of 160 kilotons, expandable to 200 kilotons.
  • The facility uses BorsodChem's proprietary technology for improved efficiency.
  • Full utilization is expected later due to the current market environment.

New TDI Plant Inauguration

BorsodChem Zrt has officially inaugurated its new TDI plant in Kazincbarcika, North-East Hungary. The facility, now in commercial operation, has a capacity of 160 kilotons per year, positioning BorsodChem as Europe’s leading Toluene diisocyanate (TDI) manufacturer. TDI is primarily used in the production of flexible polyurethane foams for upholstery, mattresses, and automotive seats, with smaller applications in polyurethane elastomers and coatings.

Investment and Capacity

BorsodChem invested over EUR 200 million in constructing the new facility. The plant has an annual nameplate capacity of 160 kilotons, which can be increased to 200 kilotons per year based on future demand. The facility utilizes BorsodChem’s proprietary state-of-the-art technology, offering significantly improved efficiency compared to the existing TDI-1 plant. However, full utilization of the new plant is expected at a later stage due to the current unfavorable market environment.

Government and Industry Support

The Hungarian Government has expressed satisfaction with this significant capacity expansion by the Chinese Wanhua Industrial Group in BorsodChem. This development is seen as a milestone in Chinese-Hungarian business relations and aims to enhance Hungary’s competitiveness. The inauguration event was attended by several dignitaries, including the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China in Hungary, local officials, suppliers, and customers.

Strategic Importance

The opening of the TDI-2 plant is a crucial step for BorsodChem in becoming the leading TDI supplier in Europe and aligns with Wanhua’s global growth strategy. The new facility is expected to improve production efficiency, product quality, and supply reliability, benefiting BorsodChem’s customers.