Materials manufacturer Bayer MaterialScience has successfully concluded a major capital expenditure project in Germany. On Tuesday, the company brought an ultra-efficient and resource-conserving world-scale plant for the production of the chemical TDI, a main component in high-quality foams, on stream at its site in Dormagen, located in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Valued at some EUR 250 million, the high-tech plant was inaugurated at a ceremony attended by representatives from politics, industry, public administration authorities and the local community.Including infrastructure and supplier costs, total capital expenditure at Chempark Dormagen amounts to more than EUR 400 million. The site is to become Bayer MaterialScience’s European center for TDI production. Under construction for 30 months, the new plant replaces a smaller production unit for toluene diisocyanate (TDI). The chemical is used in the production of flexible polyurethane foams, which is used to produce many everyday articles including mattresses, car seats and upholstered furniture. Demand for TDI is expected to continue growing steadily worldwide in the years ahead.
Hannelore Kraft, governor of North Rhine-Westphalia, said at the inauguration ceremony, "The investment clearly illustrates the capability of Bayer's Dormagen site. But it is also an important signal about the international competitiveness of North Rhine-Westphalia as a center of the chemical industry." She added that the fact that Bayer also sent clear signals with respect to environmental protection is the way of the future. Another key factor for the success of the local chemical industry besides the funding of training and education is the strengthening of public acceptance. "Bayer did an exemplary job in terms of local public involvement."
"This investment is also a commitment to Germany as an industrial location – and to the state of North Rhine-Westphalia," said Bayer CEO Dr. Marijn Dekkers. In North Rhine-Westphalia alone, Bayer has invested more than EUR 1 billion over the past ten years in the maintenance and expansion of MaterialScience production facilities. We want to continue investing in both NRW and Germany," Dekkers said while also pointing out the need for the appropriate boundary conditions.
