HOYER Group inaugurates advanced MDI logistics facility in Shanghai with Covestro, strengthening automation, safety, and long-term partnership.
The HOYER Group, a global leader in logistics solutions for liquid and bulk products, has successfully brought a major new logistics infrastructure project into operation in Shanghai in close Collaboration with its long-term partner, Covestro. The project marks a significant expansion of HOYER’s role at the Covestro Integrated Site Shanghai, where the company will now manage the filling, storage, and end-to-end logistics Of Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate (MDI), a key raw material for the Polyurethane Industry. The state-of-the-art facility was officially inaugurated in November, underscoring the strength and continuity of the Partnership between the two companies.
The newly constructed MDI logistics facility was planned and built by Covestro to meet the highest standards of safety, efficiency, and automation. Within this advanced complex, HOYER has assumed responsibility for filling MDI into drums and intermediate bulk containers (IBC totes), storing the finished products, and coordinating the entire logistics workflow. The project represents a major step forward in integrating modern automation technologies with specialized chemical logistics expertise.
Among the key features of the facility are four fully automated drum-filling systems equipped with integrated control technologies. These systems are designed to ensure precise, consistent, and safe filling operations while minimizing manual intervention. In addition, the site includes three temperature-controlled warehouses that use ammonia-based refrigeration systems to maintain optimal storage conditions for MDI. These warehouses are engineered to meet stringent safety and environmental requirements while supporting reliable, uninterrupted operations.
A central highlight of the facility is its modern control room, which functions as the nerve center for both technical and logistical activities. From this hub, all processes across the facility are monitored and controlled in real time. The control room operates around the clock and is staffed 24/7, ensuring continuous operational readiness and rapid response to any technical or logistical issues. According to Joseph Gao, Startup Manager of the MDI Logistics Project, the new facility demonstrates how advanced automation, digitalization, and locally adapted technologies can be successfully combined to ensure dependable and efficient MDI production and handling.
The successful commissioning of the site was made possible by the strong involvement and expertise of HOYER’s local team. Leo Zhang, Senior Manager Operations at the HOYER Group, highlighted the dedication of employees during the startup phase, noting that their commitment played a crucial role in bringing the complex facility online smoothly and on schedule.
HOYER personnel working at the site receive extensive and continuous training to operate the sophisticated systems safely and efficiently. Beyond visual monitoring, employees are responsible for maintaining detailed technical documentation, conducting leakage and safety tests, and supporting the phased commissioning of individual components during the setup process. JianJun Fu, Deputy Production Manager at the HOYER Group, emphasized that the implementation and commissioning of the control room posed significant technical challenges. He noted that the team takes great pride in the fact that operations are now running smoothly and that the facility contributes to a safe, stable, and secure supply chain for Covestro and its customers.
HOYER has been providing logistics services for Covestro at the Shanghai site since 2016. Over the years, the partnership has grown steadily, built on trust, technical competence, and a shared commitment to safety and quality. The launch of the new MDI logistics facility has now led to a renewed contract extension, further reinforcing the long-term collaboration. With this milestone, both companies reaffirm their joint focus on innovation, operational excellence, and sustainable growth in one of the world’s most important Chemical Markets.
