Flexsys to close English accelerator site

BRUSSELS, Belgium (June 14)—Rubber chemicals supplier Flexsys will close a primary accelerator manufacturing plant in Ruabon, Wales, this year with the loss of 160 jobs over the next two years. The phased closure is linked to price erosion, customer consolidations, industry globalization and overcapacity in the accelerator market, Flexsys said. It also is part of a strategy to strengthen core business and will make the Ruabon site more viable. Flexsys, a 50/50 joint venture of Akzo Nobel N.V. and Solutia Inc., will transfer production from Ruabon to other primary accelerator production units. Flexsys produces rubber accelerators at plants in Antwerp, Belgium; Termoli, Italy; and Nitro, W.Va.