Mitsui Chemicals announces that it has decided to increase production capacity at the meta-Xylylene Diisocyanate (XDI) plant at its Omuta Works. The expansion is in response to growing demand for hardeners used in hardly yellowing coatings. This would make the expansion of domestic production capacity by 20%.
XDI Exhibits Outstanding Resistance to Yellowing
XDI is a special isocyanate. Mitsui Chemicals was the first company in the world to produce it commercially. XDI is widely recognized as a high refractive index material for ophthalmic lenses. It offers high durability. XDI is also acknowledged as a coating and functional material. This is due to its outstanding resistance to yellowing and quick-curing properties.
The demand for XDI is expected to increase further. This is due to quality of life needs and a shift away from mixed materials. Items driving demand include adhesives for food packaging, which have to meet particularly rigorous safety standards, special inks and coating materials used in solar cells and smartphones, and microcapsules, which also require a high level of safety.
Mitsui Chemicals is therefore responding to this growing demand by expanding the XDI plant at its Omuta Works.
Mitsui Chemicals’ long-term business plan, VISION 2030, includes a commitment to meet eco-friendly demand in the converting solution field. With this capacity increase, Mitsui Chemicals will continue to proactively build up its supply setup.
Overview of the Capacity Increase
| Product |
meta-Xylylene Diisocyanate (XDI) |
| Location |
Omuta Works (Omuta City, Fukuoka Prefecture) |
| Production capacity after expansion |
20 percent higher than the current production capacity |
| Schedule |
Start of construction: February 2024
End of construction: July 2025
Operational launch: September 2025 (tentative)
|
View All XDI & Derivatives Range from Mitsui Chemicals
Source: Mitsui Chemicals