Akzo Nobel to close U.S. surfactants site

Akzo Nobel has announced plans to
close its McCook plant operated by its
surfactants business near Chicago. A
project has started to transfer production
to some of the company’s other
U.S. chemicals facilities, with completion
of the transition and closure of
the site expected by the end of 2007.
“This transfer of activities is to
address the more competitive environment
in which we operate,” said Leif
Darner, member of the board of management
responsible for chemicals.
“These measures will better utilize
current production capacity and
improve our cost structure to better
serve our customers.”
The McCook site employs approximately
100 people, with efforts being
made to make alternative employment
available at other Akzo Nobel
sites in the U.S.