December 6, 2024 – Tosoh Expands Factory to Boost HDI Derivative Production Capacity
Tosoh, a leading Japanese chemical company, has announced plans to expand its Nanyang factory located in Chunan City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. The expansion aims to enhance the production capacity of hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) derivatives. Upon completion, the factory’s annual HDI production capacity is expected to increase by 50%, to 30,000 tons. The project, with a total investment of approximately 6 billion yen, is scheduled to commence construction in May 2025 and become fully operational after August 2026.
HDI derivatives, advanced functional polyurethane materials, are widely used in automotive and architectural exterior coatings due to their excellent resistance to yellowing and weathering. As a crucial component of coating hardeners, they play a vital role in enhancing the performance and quality of coatings. Tosoh’s decision to expand production is based on the expanding global coating market and the continuous growth in demand for HDI derivatives.
According to AsiaMB, demand for HDI derivatives remains stable in developed countries, while emerging nations are experiencing increasing demand for coatings due to accelerated motorization and increased infrastructure investment. This has directly driven the rapid growth of the HDI derivative market. To meet this market demand and ensure stable product supply, Tosoh has decided to expand its HDI derivative production scale, further enhancing the company’s profitability and market competitiveness.
Notably, this expansion plan complements the recently commissioned carbon dioxide (CO2) recovery and raw material processing facilities at the Nanyang factory, which produce isocyanate products, including MDI and HDI. These initiatives not only contribute to improved production efficiency but also demonstrate Tosoh’s active efforts in environmental protection and sustainable development.
Furthermore, HDI is primarily classified into monomers and derivatives. Derivatives, such as biurets and trimers, are more suitable for high-end applications like coatings and inks due to their low volatility, low toxicity, and excellent storage stability, heat resistance, light resistance, and solvent resistance. Tosoh’s expansion plan specifically targets HDI and its derivatives for coating hardeners, which will undoubtedly further consolidate its market position in this field.