On May 29 local time, Huntsman announced plans to build a new polyurethane factory in Dubai. The new facility will be located in the Jeb Ali Free Trade Zone (JAFZA), which will strengthen the company's ability to differentiate in the downstream regions of the Middle East.
The target is to be completed in the second half of 2019. Huntsman's investment will increase the company's factory capacity in the region and upgrade its polyester polyol capacity to a new level. The Dubai plant will be the company in the Middle East The addition of existing plants, the Huntsman EMA and the Saudi Arabian plant (HAPC - a joint venture with the BCI Group), formed three strong pillars for the company's growth.
Tony Hankins, president of Huntsman Polyurethanes Division, said: 'This is a bold and timely investment that will become a strategic platform for expanding our operations in the Middle East and North Africa and establish our market leadership.' It represents our efforts to strengthen The next step in the downstream network. We now have 30 factories around the world to provide our customers with innovative solutions.
Steen Weien Hansen, vice president of Polyurethanes, further commented: 'The MDI-based systems market in the Middle East has experienced strong growth over the past five years and it is expected that this trend will continue to grow at an annual rate of 7%. The construction of the new plant will Enables us to supply traditional and high-end rigid polyurethane formulations locally. It allows us to utilize the company's polyester polyols, the development and production technology of polyol blends, for the rapidly growing market for flexible foams and footwear, and for adhesives , Prepolymers for coating and elastomer applications.
Gulum Kabil, Huntsman Middle East and Turkish Polyurethane Business Manager will manage the new plant.