Covestro recently started production of naphthalene diisocyanate (NDI) for synthesized Vulkollan polyurethane (PU) elastomer at its Map Ta Phut site in Thailand. The investment is part of several investments the company has poured into cast polyurethane raw materials, for example at its Spanish site near Barcelona and at its site in Caojing, near Shanghai, in China.

Vulkollan elastomers synthesized from polyols and NDI are available in solid and cellular forms. Combining high mechanical load-bearing characteristics with dynamic load-bearing capacity, the materials are deployed in a variety of applications, including damping elements, such as bumpers, springs, and noise, vibration, harshness (NVH) elements; forklift wheels; roller coaster wheels; and couplings and seals for the engineering sector. The product’s superior durability and stability and lower maintenance requirements are among the key features of the material.

“We believe in the growth of the cast elastomers market and want to meet the increasing demand. With this new production plant, we achieve a significant improvement of our global infrastructure and strengthen our presence for high-performance elastomers in the Asia-Pacific region,” said Sucheta Govil, Chief Commercial Officer at Covestro. “This investment also allows us to better serve our customers, improve our customer service, and support the growth of applications and industries with high-end performance requirements.”

“The startup of our Map Ta Phut plant is the latest step of several investments in our elastomers business to support the Vulkollan brand,” explained Thomas Braig, Head of the Business Entity Elastomers. “We firmly believe in the strong potential of this historic and well-known brand and are prepared, with this investment, for its future growth and the development of its customers.”