Huntsman Corp. recently announced plans to build a new polyurethanes systems facility in Dubai. Located within the Jebel Ali Free Trade Zone (JAFZA), the new facility intends to strengthen Huntsman's differentiated downstream capabilities in the heart of the Middle East.

Targeted for completion by the second half of 2019, the company’s investment will reportedly increase its systems production capacity in the region and add a new dimension to its polyester polyol capabilities. The Dubai systems house will complement the company's two existing systems houses in the Middle East, in Turkey (Huntsman EMA) and Saudi Arabia (HAPC, a joint venture with the BCI Group of Companies), forming three strong pillars for growth.

Gulum Kabil, general manager of Huntsman Polyurethanes' business activities in the Middle East and Turkey, will manage the new systems house.

“This is a bold and timely investment, which will serve as a strategic platform to expand our business in the Middle East and North Africa and build our market leading position,” said Tony Hankins, president of Huntsman's Polyurethanes division. “It represents the next step in our plan to strengthen our downstream network. We now have 30 facilities worldwide, which provide innovative solutions in close proximity to our customers."

"The MDI-based systems market in the Middle East has delivered strong growth in the last five years and this trend is forecast to continue at estimated rates of 7% annually,” said Steen Weien Hansen, regional vice president of polyurethanes. “The construction of the new systems house will enable us to supply traditional and high-end rigid polyurethane formulations from a local source."

For more information, visit  www.huntsman.com.