The new plant, located in the Jebel Ali Free Trade Zone, will strengthen Huntsman's downstream business capabilities in the Middle East and North Africa region and increase its ability to produce polyurethane composites and polyester polyols for customers in the region.
The new compound plant includes a production area equipped with advanced manufacturing equipment, as well as mixers, reactors, filling stations, control rooms, offices and quality control laboratories. The plant will produce polyurethane foam for construction, insulation, home appliances, bedding and furniture. It will also produce composites for the footwear industry, as well as prepolymers for coatings, adhesives, sealants and elastomers.
The plant will also serve as a regional production base for Huntsman's spray polyurethane foam (SPF) business, Demilec. Dan Mile Lake is the world's leading manufacturer of SPF insulation; SPF insulation is used in commercial buildings and homes to improve building energy efficiency. The new composite material plant has also established a special spray foam application and training center, which will provide local technical and training support to customers in the region with the full support of the global Damilek organization.
Tony Hankins, President of Huntsman Polyurethanes Division, said: "This investment is the latest step we have taken to expand the capabilities of our global compounding plants and will support our downstream growth strategy. We will be closer to our customers and provide us with all the resources we need to expand our business in the Middle East and North Africa, including competitive production, a developed infrastructure network, and the ability to respond quickly to customers. "
Steen Weien Hansen, vice president of operations in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and India, further stated, "The UAE has a rapidly growing population and an urbanization rate of 90%. It is a major importer of polyurethanes for construction and construction projects and consumer product production. The long-term 2020 Dubai Expo is only one year away, and the booming construction industry will increase polyurethane imports, which will directly drive Huntsman's business growth in the UAE. "
Huntsman's other downstream operations in the Middle East include the compounding plant Huntsman EMA in Turkey, and Huntsman Arab Polyols in Saudi Arabia, a joint venture between Huntsman and BCI Group. Huntsman is a major shareholder.