Other news
INEOS announces mega-investment in port of Antwerp
INEOS plans to build a brand-new propane dehydrogenisation (PDH) plant and an ethane cracker. INEOS has chosen the port of Antwerp as the location for a mega-investment of 3 billion euros representing 400 new jobs.
Almac Group Flows into Continuous Technology
Implementation of continuous flow expertise at its global headquarters in Craigavon, UK, with further plans to introduce flow capacity within Arran Chemical Company (Athlone, Ireland).
Ercros has started up the second expansion of the Vila-seca I chlorine plant
Ercros has started a second expansion capacity of 26,000 t/year at the chlorine and caustic soda production plant of its factory in Vila-seca I
Quarterly update from the ECSPP President, Martin Naundorf
During the meeting in Antwerp a new Executive Committee was elected. Early December the new committee had a meeting in which the new President and two Vice Presidents were chosen.
Covestro to increase aniline production in Antwerp
As part of its global MDI investment program, Covestro plans to invest around EUR 300 million in a new aniline production at its Antwerp site. The launch of the new unit is expected for 2022. As Covestro’s European hub for aniline, the Antwerp site benefits from the attractive infrastructure and logistics at the heart of harbour and has access to the necessary raw materials for aniline. Aniline is an important starting material for numerous chemical products including MDI. MDI is then again a precursor for rigid foam that may be used to provide thermal insulation for buildings and insulation in the refrigeration chain.
“Our Antwerp site plays a crucial role in Covestro’s supply and production network and this investment proves it will continue to do so in the future”, said Volker Weintritt, Managing Director of Covestro in Antwerp. “The increase of our aniline production will ensure a sustainable and efficient supply for our European MDI network including the increasing capacities at our Spanish site in Tarragona.” The investment project will eventually provide extra job positions.
The design and process technology of the new unit in Antwerp will be based on Covestro’s best available technologies in terms of process safety and energy efficiency. The global MDI market is expected to grow by about 5% per year in the long-term, outgrowing the world’s global domestic product (GDP) by some 2 percentage points. With its global MDI investment program Covestro currently accelerates its investment activities to capitalize on the predicted strong MDI market growth.
