ParaTec moves to new headquarters, to build R&D center

MIDDLEBURY, Conn. (Jan. 8)—ParaTec Elastomers L.L.C., the nitrile rubber unit of Mexico's chemical producer DESC S.A. de C.V., has moved into new world headquarters in Middlebury and started construction on research and development laboratories in Mexico. Set up in 1999 as a joint venture involving Crompton Corp./Uniroyal Chemical and DESC, ParaTec now is wholly owned by DESC, according to President Jeff Lines. DESC's purchase of Crompton's 50-percent stake in December 2001 meant ParaTec had to find new office space, he said. The 3,500-sq.-ft. headquarters is home to 12 management, sales and technical support staff. R&D facilities, located on the premises of the firm's 40,000 metric ton nitrile plant in Altimira, Mexico, should be functional by July, Lines said.