China is anticipated to add an MDI [methylene diphenyl diisocyanate] production capacity of 0.80 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) between 2025 and 2030. The capacity additions in the country are from two planned projects: the Wanhua Chemical Fujian Company Fuzhou MDI plant, and the Xinjiang Heshan Juli Chemical Yantai MDI plant – each with a capacity of 0.40 mtpa. Located in Fujian and Shandong provinces respectively, the two are expected to commence operations in 2025 and 2027.
China is poised to lead global MDI capacity additions by 2030, mainly due to its massive manufacturing sector that relies heavily on MDI for industrial applications. MDI is a critical chemical intermediate essential for the manufacture of polyurethanes, a highly versatile polymer with extensive applications in numerous industries such as construction, refrigeration and electronics.
The remaining capacity additions in the world are likely to be added from two projects under construction, one in the US and one in Vietnam. The capacity addition in the US is expected to be from a planned project in Louisiana, the BASF Geismar MDI plant 2, expected to come online in 2026 with an annual production capacity of 0.30 mtpa. BASF SE holds a 100% equity stake in the project and is also its designated operator.
In Vietnam, the capacity addition is anticipated from the Tosoh Vietnam Polyurethane Vung Tau MDI plant based in Ba Ria Vung Tau province, which is expected to commence operations in 2026 with a capacity of 0.13 mtpa. Tosoh Vietnam Polyurethane Co Ltd is the proposed operator of this project.
Further details of global MDI capacity and capex analysis can be found in GlobalData’s new report: Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate (MDI) Industry Capacity and Capital Expenditure Forecasts with Details of All Active and Planned Plants to 2030.
