Chemours is shuttering its manufacturing plant in North Wilmington.
The company announced Thursday that it will close its Edge Moor facility by the end of next month – along with a production line at its plant in Tennessee – as part of an wider plan to cut costs and increase the value of the company, which was spun off from DuPont in July. About 200 employees and 130 contractors work at the plant, which produces titanium dioxide.
The work done at the Edge Moor facility and in Tennessee will be shifted to four other Chemours plants.
"A plant closure is never an easy decision, because of its impact on people who are valued members oour company,” said E. Bryan Snell president of Chemours Titanium Technologies in a statement. “However, we believe this is the right business decision. Chemours is committed to the TiO2 market, and these changes positions for growth in the industry.”
Chemours says it will reassign Delaware employees where possible, and the rest will be given severance pay.
In a statement, Gov. Markell's office expressed his disappointment for the workers and families impacted Chemours decision.
"The Administration stands ready to provide support to any workers who need assistance and will remain in close contact with Chemours about the advantages of locating other operations in Delaware," said the statement. "Overall, our economy continues to make good progress with job growth that leads the region and we remain focused every day on ways to ensure good employment opportunities exist for every Delaware worker.
Chemours anticipates shutting down the Delaware plant and the line in Tennessee will save the company $45 million dollars annually.
The Edge Moor plant should be fully decommissioned by next March, at which time it will begin to be dismantled.
Chemours officials say they plan to start exploring options for site redevelopment immediately – and will work with state and local officials – as well as the nearby community – as part of that effort.
