Bayer MaterialScience (BMS) has received the green light from district authorities in Cologne to expand its hydrochloric acid plant at Dormagen, Germany. The project is scheduled to be completed in the second half of this year.

The permit allows the company to begin European marketing of the byproduct from isocyanates production. Output of hydrochloric acid will increase when BMS' new gas phase TDI plant with capacity for 330,000 t/y goes on stream
almost simultaneously.

BMS also intends to make greater use of hydrochloric acid as a starting material for other operations both inside and outside the Bayer Chempark. The company is developing Dormagen as a European hub for TDI production. Including projects by other companies to build nearby plants linked to the new isocyanates unit, related expenditure in the region is expected to exceed €400 million.

The hydrochloric acid generated by PU production will be recycled for the company's captive use, and excess output supplied to other companies operating nearby. Finnish water treatment chemicals producer Kemira is building a plant at Dormagen site that will use hydrochloric acid as a precursor.

"The expanded plant fits seamlessly into our overall concept for the flow of all materials into and out of the TDI plant. In this case, a byproduct is being commercialized and reused in accordance with ecological principles," said TDI program manager Steffen Kuhling.