Rohm & Haas revamps adhesives business

PHILADELPHIA (Sept. 19)—Rohm & Haas Co. has completed a major restructuring of its adhesives and sealants business that left no area of the operation untouched. As part of the reorganization, Rohm & Haas revamped each of its four regional adhesives business units around the globe; will close at least three facilities in the U.S; and will relocate its adhesives laboratory. In North America, the company will close its Elk Grove, Ill., plant by the end of 2002 as its consolidates adhesives manufacturing into its Ringwood, Ill., and West Alexandria, Ohio, sites. In addition, the adhesives research and development center in Woodstock, Ill., will close by mid-2002 as the company relocates the R&D operation to a newer, more cost-effective facility in the Chicago area. North America accounts for about 40 percent of the firm's $700 million in annual adhesives sales.