BASF

Phase 3 of BASF's Geismar methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) capacity expansion — adds new upstream units and an MDI splitter that will raise total site MDI capacity to about 600,000 tonnes/year. Announced July 19, 2022 as a $780M investment creating up to 37 new full-time positions. Phase 3 is the qualifying record under AFT methodology; the earlier Phase 1 (2020 completion) and Phase 2 (2021 startup) predate this record and together bring the cumulative Geismar MDI program to approximately $1B. Per ICIS reporting (Feb 2026), Phase 3 is on track for Q3 2026 commercial startup.

Investment
$780.0M
Permanent jobs announced
37
Status
Under Construction
Expected opening
Sep 1, 2026
Why this project qualifies

With $780 million in facility-specific investment, this project clears AFT's $100 million investment threshold (AFT includes any project meeting $100 million in facility-specific investment OR 100 permanent operating jobs). This project also meets AFT's primary-source verification and physical U.S. manufacturing-footprint requirements.

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Why it matters

The chemicals & materials context.

Chemicals and materials manufacturing spans a wide range of essential U.S. production — from petrochemicals, polymers, and industrial gases to fertilizers, specialty chemicals, and advanced materials such as recycled aluminum, rare-earth magnets, and composites. Projects in this category represent multi-billion-dollar capital programs and long-lived industrial infrastructure that supply nearly every other sector of manufacturing.

Project record

At a glance

Company
BASF
Industry
Chemicals & Materials
Location
Geismar, Louisiana
Investment
$780.0M
Permanent jobs announced
37
Status
Under Construction
Announced
Jul 19, 2022
Expected opening
Sep 1, 2026
Added to tracker
Jul 24, 2026
Sources

Official references

  • Primary source
    https://www.basf.com/global/en/media/news-releases/2022/07/p-22-285
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