Mitsui to Build XDI Plant for Engineering Material

Mitsui Chemicals will build the world's first large-scale plant for xylylene diisocyanate (XDI) within its Omuta Works complex in Japan's Omuta City. The XDI plant will have a capacity of 5,000 t/y and start commercial operations in October 2015.

XDI is a functional material made with proprietary technology and offered only by the Mitsui Chemicals. Extensively used in coatings and engineering materials, it is widely used in products requiring safety and durability such as adhesives for food packaging, in special inks and coating materials such as those used in solar cells and smart phones, and in high-durability building sealants and microcapsules.

Additional demand is also expected by product shifts from different materials, according to Mitsui officials.

XDI is also used in the Mitsui's high refractive index ophthalmic lens monomers, sold under the brand name MRTM Lens, which allow processing and design freedom, and have strong durability, clarity, impact resistance, and thinness.

“The new state-of-the-art XDI plant will not only enable Mitsui Chemicals to meet expanding demands for specialty coatings & engineering materials, but will also provide solutions to QOL needs for improved and more comfortable eyewear around the world,” said Satoshi Tsuruda, general manager of the health care materials division at Mitsui Chemicals.

With the establishment of the new XDI plant, Mitsui Chemicals says it will aggressively expand its global business and strengthen its competitive position for its ophthalmic lens monomers operations as well as its coatings and engineering materials operations.