Specialized giant Chemours plans to shut down its intermediate plant

On July 6, 2020, Chemours announced that it will close its First Chemical Plant in Pascagoula, Mississippi, by the end of this year.

Chemours said in a statement released on Monday:

The first chemical plant in Pascagoula is an important part of Chemours. This plant mainly produces aniline, nitrobenzene and NDPA lubricant antioxidants. After a business review, we made it clear that the aniline business is not the core of our future strategy, and we have made a difficult decision to withdraw from the business and stop production in the region by the end of this year. We value every employee and the customers they serve, and we will support them throughout the transition period. 

Chemours's first chemical plant, established in 1967, is the first chemical company in Mississippi. The plant is located in Bayou Cassotte Industrial Park in Jackson County.

The Jackson County Economic Development Foundation stated that they will work closely with the Chemours Real Estate Department to redevelop the asset. George Freeland, the executive director of the foundation, said. "They will work with us enthusiastically to redevelop that property," he also pointed out. "They have always been outstanding industrial partners."

Flanders said that 74 employees were affected and each will receive a severance payment.

The plant is a leading producer of aniline intermediates and derivatives and nitrobenzene. These chemicals are key ingredients in many everyday items, including medicines, auto parts, tires, dyes, photochemicals, pesticides and building materials.

The first chemical plant has four independent operating units in adjacent facilities. The four devices include: port facilities (aniline production), nitrification No. 1 device, nitrification No. 2 device, hydrogenation No. 1 and No. 2 devices. In 2009, the factory was ordered to pay a federal fine of $731,000 to the federal government after the 2002 explosion caused two injuries.