Dow Emulsion Polymers permanently shuts three facilities on weak market outlook

17-Dec-08

The Dow Emulsion Polymers Business will permanently discontinue operations at three of its manufacturing facilities in King's Lynn (United Kingdom), Varennes (Canada) and Pittsburg (United States). The three facilities were already idled during the 2nd half of 2008 and were producing latex for the paper and carpet industry. After extensive analysis of the economic outlook and financial feasibility, it was decided not to re-start production at these facilities. Post close downs at these facilities, the company said it was able to re-deploy most of the impacted employees within the company. "This decision follows a thoughtful and prudent cost-benefit analysis taking into consideration the latex business and rapidly changing market conditions, such as the competitiveness of the raw material position, the small scale and the age of the facilities as well as the outlook for the global latex market," says Philippe Raynaud de Fitte, General Manager Dow Emulsion Polymers. Dow Emulsion Polymers stands with 14 facilities worldwide and "intends" to remain a market leader.