Covestro Opens a New Chlorine Production Facility in Tarragona
The chemical multinational Covestro unveiled a state of the art chlorine production facility in Tarragona this Monday. The plant represents a first in its class for the industry, delivering chlorine production based on depolarized oxygen cathode (ODC) technology. This approach reduces energy consumption and increases efficiency, marking a significant step forward in sustainable chemical manufacturing. With an investment of 200 million euros, the facility opens doors for international expansion in the chemical sector and is expected to create around fifty new jobs. The project aims to lower energy costs during periods of high inflation, delivering savings of up to 25 percent on energy use.
The Tarragona site ensures a more reliable and sustainable supply of chlorine and caustic soda, supporting MDI production in the region. MDI, or methylenediphenyl diisocyanate, is a crucial building block for polyurethane. Polyurethanes formed from MDI underpin a wide range of plastics and foams, including insulation materials for cooling devices and commercial and residential buildings. The facility’s operation positions Covestro as a key supplier in southern Europe and strengthens the region’s role in advanced polymer and insulation solutions.
Markus Steileman, Covestro chief executive officer, highlighted that the new factory opens fresh opportunities for the company as it pursues industrial solutions rooted in the circular economy and resource efficiency. The expanded production capacity is expected to boost financial performance by enhancing efficiency and output, while contributing to Covestro’s broader sustainability goals.
Andrea Firenze, Covestro Spain managing director, stated that bringing the plant onstream will meaningfully bolster Covestro’s MDI production in Tarragona and reinforce the company’s standing as a chemical benchmark for southern Europe. The facility’s commissioning is anticipated to accelerate local innovation and supply resilience across the region.
The chlorine plant at Tarragona is the world’s first on industrial scale to adopt the innovative depolarized oxygen cathode technology developed by Covestro in partnership with thyssenkrupp nucera. Compared with traditional chlor-alkali electrolysis, the ODC process operates at a lower voltage, enabling energy savings of up to a quarter. This advancement aligns with Covestro’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint while maintaining robust production capacity.
The Tarragona facility is designed to help the company reduce carbon dioxide emissions, with the potential to avoid as much as 22,000 metric tons of CO2 annually relative to conventional methods. Covestro has set a long term objective to achieve net zero emissions by 2035, supported by ongoing improvements in processes and energy efficiency across its global operations.
In a market context, the global MDI market has shown strong demand, with a volume around 7,500 kilotonnes in 2019. The market is projected to grow further over the long term, reflecting MDI’s key role as a versatile raw material for polyurethane production. Chlorine and caustic soda remain essential chemicals for the broader chemical industry and serve as foundational inputs for a broad array of products and processes used by many sectors, including construction, automotive, and manufacturing.