MIDLAND, Mich. (June 19, 2008) — Dow Chemical Co. said it will close latex plants in California and Quebec by the end of the year, making it four such sites targeted for shutdown in the past seven months.
The firm said reduction in demand coupled with extreme energy and production costs prompted its decision to idle the facilities in Pittsburg, Calif., and Varennes, Quebec, by the end of the year. The plants together employ about 35, and although it will try to redeploy as many employees as possible, Dow expects some layoffs.
The company will continue to serve paper, carpet and performance latex industry customers in North America via its four remaining plants in the region,
Dow announced the closing of its latex plant in Freeport, Texas, in December 2007, and last week said its King's Lynn, England, facility would shut down by September.