Huntsman (The Woodlands, Texas / USA; www.huntsman.com) plans to build a new polyurethanes production facility in Dubai. Targeted for completion by the second half of 2019, the new plant will increase the company’s systems production capacity in the region, complementing its two existing systems houses in the region; in Turkey and its Saudi Arabian joint venture with the BCI Group. A Huntsman spokeswoman declined to reveal specific figures relating to the capacity increase.

Tony Hankins, president of Huntsman’s polyurethanes division, said the move would serve “as a strategic platform” to expand business in the Middle East and North Africa. “We now have 30 facilities worldwide, which provide innovative solutions in close proximity to our customers.” Steen Hansen, Huntsman’s regional vice president of polyurethanes, added that the new plant would mean the group being able to supply traditional and high-end rigid polyurethane formulations from a local source.

Huntsman generates revenues of around USD 8 bn a year and employs more than 10,000 people around the world, working in 30 countries.