Dec 22 2006
Bayer MaterialScience’s carbon monoxide (CO), diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) and polycarbonate production facilities at its Krefeld-Uerdingen site are once again operating at full capacity. Due to operational problems affecting carbon monoxide (CO) production at this plant, the facility had been operating at below total capacity since mid-November 2006. As a result, the company declared a force majeure for MDI in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region (EMEA). This declaration is being withdrawn with immediate effect. The shortfall in polycarbonate production was partially compensated for by sourcing supplies from other sites and making individual arrangements with customers.
At the end of September a production line for toluene diisocyanate (TDI) at the Bayer MaterialScience site in Baytown, USA, had to be shut down following an explosion. This production line has been repaired and is now gradually being brought back to full capacity. As soon as the situation permits, the declaration of force majeure will be lifted here too. This is scheduled for January 2007.