Asahi Kasei Chemicals completes second Durante production line

Asahi Kasei Chemicals held an opening ceremony on June 2, 2015, for a new production line for Duranol polycarbonatediol (PCD) and a 2nd line for Duranate hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI)-based polyisocyanate at its plant in Nantong, China. Commercial operation of the new Duranol line began in November 2014, and that of the 2nd Duranate line began in May 2015. The ceremony was attended by approximately 140 people from China and Japan, including customers and other related parties.

At the ceremony, Yuji Kobayashi, President of Asahi Kasei Chemicals, said: "Since the 2007 start-up of the 1st line for Duranate in Nantong, our HDI polyisocyanate business has been expanding smoothly. The new line for Duranol and the 2nd line for Duranate enhance our ability to develop the market in China and other Asian countries by supplying high-performance and high-quality products for polyurethane. Nantong is an outstanding location for us to further expand business from.”

PCD is used to make high-performance polyurethanes with characteristics, such as exceptional heat resistance and water resistance. Demand for PCD is growing throughout the world as the polyurethane market increasingly shifts toward higher-performance. A highly functional PCD developed by Asahi Kasei Chemicals, Duranol features greater compatibility than ordinary PCD and enables polyurethanes to be obtained with greater softness than is possible with ordinary PCD. Duranol has the leading share of the Asian PCD market for polyurethanes for synthetic leather in automotive interiors, polyurethane coatings and UV-curable polyurethanes. Demand for highly functional PCD is forecasted to continue to grow throughout Asia and especially in China as a major centre for manufacturing automotives and consumer electronics.

Developed with original technology, Duranate HDI polyisocyanate is a hardener for non-yellowing polyurethane automotive coatings and many other applications, used for polymerisation and cross-linking of polyurethane. Used as a corrosion-resistant coating material in automotive, architectural, and other applications, non-yellowing polyurethane made with Duranate features excellent mechanical and chemical properties, as well as superior weather resistance. Polyurethane materials made with Duranate are also used as inks, adhesives, castings and a wide range of other applications.

The expansion of the plant in China will enable the company to meet demand growth with a stable supply infrastructure in Asia, reinforcing its position as a leading supplier of highly functional materials, including both Duranol PCD and Duranate HDI polyisocyanate, to manufacturers of high-performance polyurethanes.