Asahi Kasei Chemicals has announced it is to construct a plant in China for Duranol polycarbonatediol (PCD), an intermediate for high-performance polyurethanes.
PCD is used to make high-performance polyurethanes with characteristics such as exceptional heat and water resistance. A highly functional PCD developed by Asahi Kasei Chemicals, Duranol features greater compatibility than ordinary PCD and enables polyurethanes to be obtained with greater softness than is possible with ordinary PCD.
Duranol has the leading share of the Asian PCD market for polyurethane coatings, polyurethanes for synthetic leather in automotive interiors and UV-curable polyurethanes. Demand for PCD is forecast to grow throughout Asia and especially in China as a major centre for manufacturing automobiles and consumer electronics. The company currently produces Duranol at a plant in its Mizushima Works, Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan.
