BMS declares force majeure on PU materials in North America

By Liz White, UT staffChannelview, Texas-Bayer MaterialScience llc has declared Force Majeure regarding its ability to supply liquid polyester polyols produced in North America (including Mexico and Canada). The force majeure took effect 5 Oct, said a statement issued by the group. Bayer MaterialScience said this step was necessary “due to hurricane-related issues that have affected its supplier’s ability to provide key raw materials used in the production of polyester polyols.” The polyester polyols difficulties follow a 27 Sept Bayer MaterialScience force majeure on other polyurethane raw materials, also resulting from the recent Gulf Coast hurricanes. This earlier force majeure covered its ability to supply materials containing monomeric MDI (methylene diphenyl diisocyanate) as well as Mondur TD-80 and Desmodur T80 (both containing toluene diisocyanate) and also amine-based polyether polyols produced in North America (including Mexico and Canada). The group said this previous force majeure remains in place: “Bayer MaterialScience continues to work through the various issues that have affected its ability to supply these polyurethane materials,” the company added. “Bayer MaterialScience is monitoring both situations, and working closely with its suppliers and affected customers,” the firm’s statement said. In Europe, meanwhile, the group has raised prices for TDI, from 1 Oct, by Euro 0.15 or 0.20 per kg, as a result of “increasing costs for raw materials and energy,” a company statement said. “