Mexico City — Chemours Co. has resumed normal operations at its titanium dioxide (TiO2) manufacturing facility in Altamira, Mexico, it said June 24.
The Wilmington, Del.-based company paused production at the site in the state of Tamaulipas on May 31 at the height of one of Mexico's most severe droughts, which appears to be easing.
"The Mexican government has lifted its prior water intake restrictions, enabling the company to resume normal operations" in Altamira, Chemours said in an online statement.
TiO2 is used as a rubber and plastics whitener.
According to consulting firm Everstream Analytics of San Marcos, Calif., authorities in Altamira halted water supplies to at least 74 industrial sites and eight petrochemical plants on May 22, forcing some manufacturers to declare force majeure on its contracts related to their Mexican operations.
Those declaring force majeure included global resin maker Ineos Styrolution, headquartered in Frankfurt, and Cabot Corp., of Boston, which makes carbon black additives in Altamira.
Tropical storm Alberto, which hit Tamaulipas from June 19-21, did much to alleviate the situation, according to experts. However, national water commission Conagua reported on June 23 that only one of seven dams in the state, Pedro José Méndez, is operating at above 50 percent of its capacity, and it is at 56 percent.
The levels at the other six range from 9.9 percent to 37.3 percent, it said.
