The list of plastics-related shutdowns caused by drought in Mexico continues to grow with Chemours Co. stopping production of titanium dioxide, a common plastics and rubber whitener.
In a May 31 news release, officials with Chemours in Wilmington, Del., said that "as a result of the severe drought impacting much of Mexico, (the firm) … is complying with a request from the government to temporarily minimize water intake, which has led to a pause in production at its Altamira titanium dioxide manufacturing facility to conserve water for the surrounding communities."
They added that Chemours "is working closely with government, business, and community partners to identify and implement short-and long-term solutions" and that "at this time, Chemours cannot predict this event's duration due to the uncertainty of the factors outside of its control."
Earlier in May, resin makers Orbia Advance Corp., Saudi Basic Industries Corp. and Ineos Styrolution announced drought-related shutdowns in Mexico. Orbia has stopped production at a major PVC resin, compound and plasticizer plant in Altamira.
Sabic closed an engineering resins unit in Altamira after local water officials told the firm they could no longer pump enough water. Sabic, based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with U.S. offices in Houston, makes polycarbonate, ABS and acrylic resins in Altamira for several end markets, including automotive, consumer appliance and electrical/electronic.
Earlier in May, Ineos Styrolution placed force majeure supply limits on resins made at its plant in Altamira. That move affected ABS, high-heat ABS and ASA resins made at the site. In a letter to customers, officials with Ineos Styrolution America in Aurora, Ill., said that because of an ongoing severe drought in the region, the water supply in the local reservoir "has receded to an untenable level."
Almost 65 percent of Mexico was under severe drought conditions in the first half of April, according to a release from Mexican water commission Conagua and Mexico's National Meteorological Service.
