Cornerstone to Shut Down Acrylonitrile Unit in June 2025

Cornerstone Chemical Company, Inc., announced the decision to discontinue its acrylonitrile (AN) business, effective June 30, 2025. After careful consideration of market conditions and ongoing strategic evaluation, the company determined that this action was necessary to ensure the long-term success of its world-class energy campus, the viability of its remaining operations, and the well-being of its employees and stakeholders.

Cornerstone has operated in the AN market for decades, during which time the company has earned a reputation for superior quality and manufacturing capabilities. Despite the company’s significant efforts to adapt to the changing market, the financial challenges facing the AN business have intensified due to oversupply in the AN global market and rising raw material costs, resulting in the company making the difficult but necessary decision to exit the business at this time.

"The decision to close our AN operations was extremely difficult," said Matthew Sokol, President and CEO of Cornerstone. "We are extremely proud of our dedicated workforce and the strong relationships we have built with our customers, partners and suppliers. Unfortunately, changes in industry dynamics have made it impossible for us to continue operating as we have in the past. We will work to reallocate and reassign our current workforce as we evaluate opportunities at the Energy Park in 2025 and beyond."

As part of the transition, Cornerstone will ensure that all legal and regulatory obligations are met, including the safe decommissioning of its facilities, the protection of its employees, and the management of customer and supplier relationships. The company will also work closely with its team to provide support and resources during this time.