MDI Production
Late last year, Covestro AG (Leverkusen, Germany; www.covestro.com) started up a pilot plant for the production of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) based on the innovative AdiP (adiabatic-isothermal phosgenation) technology at its Brunsbüttel site. The new technology promises to significantly improve energy efficiency and marks an important milestone for Covestro in its orientation towards the circular economy.
The AdiP reaction is controlled more efficiently and does not require an external heat supply, because the heat generated during the reaction process is used. As a result, this production process significantly reduces energy consumption and CO2 emissions in MDI production. Thanks to AdiP technology, up to 40% steam and 25% electricity can be saved per ton of MDI produced in an MDI plant — and CO2 emissions are thus reduced by up to 35%, says the company. In addition, the production output increases by 50% compared to the technology currently in use. As a result, future MDI production plants based on AdiP technology can be smaller than in the past, says Covestro.
The pilot phase should be completed in about 12 months.