Bayer MaterialScience to Expand Hydrochloric Acid Facility in Dormagen

Dormagen -- Bayer MaterialScience has been issued the permit for the expansion and operation of its hydrochloric acid facility in Dormagen. The Cologne district authority issued the corresponding ruling following a detailed appraisal. The company can now move forward with the European-wide marketing of hydrochloric acid, which occurs as a by-product in the production of polyurethane raw materials. The volume will increase as result of the world-scale plant for the production of TDI (toluene diisocynate) currently under construction. Greater use will be made in the future of the hydrochloric acid as starting material for other production operations both inside and outside Chempark Dormagen. Expansion of the hydrochloric acid facility is taking place while operations continue, and is scheduled for completion in the second half of this year.

“We are pleased that the permit process has been concluded successfully. The project is very important for the expansion of our European-wide marketing of hydrochloric acid and is a key piece in the commissioning of the new TDI plant,” says Andreas Amling, Head of Basic Chemicals at Bayer MaterialScience.

The company currently is investing some EUR 250 million in the new TDI facility. The chemical is needed as a precursor for the production of flexible polyurethane foams, which are used to make many everyday products such as mattresses and car seats. Including the plans of additional area companies to build plants associated with the production of TDI, overall investment in the Chempark totals more than EUR 400 million.

Hydrochloric acid facility is an important part of investments in TDI production

Bayer MaterialScience is developing Dormagen into a European hub for TDI production. According to Dr. Steffen Kühling, program manager of the TDI project in Dormagen, this involves far more than the new construction of the TDI facility. The plant requires a corresponding network embedded into a suitable infrastructure. “The expanded hydrochloric acid plant fits seamlessly into our overall concept for the flow of all materials into and out of the TDI plant. In this case, a by-product is being commercialized and reused in accordance with ecological principles.”

The final construction and operating permit now issued was also the last remaining permit required by Bayer MaterialScience for the TDI investment and associated subprojects. The permits for the new main plant and the shipping facility, which as also been expanded, had been issued previously.

The objective: expansion of European-wide marketing of hydrochloric acid

Commissioning of the new plant represents the first step in expanding the European-wide marketing of hydrochloric acid. The hydrochloric acid generated by polyurethane production will be recycled for Bay