By Eileen Buckley
Niagara Falls, NY – Another economic blow for the city of Niagara Falls. DuPont announced plans Monday to close its textiles chemicals unit in Niagara Falls, New York by this summer.
The Buffalo Avenue facility produces Terathane, a key ingredient used for a wide variety of polyurethane products such as spandex. Plant manager Kelly Kober says it is a "very sad" day for workers. Kober says 172 local employees will lose their jobs.
"We will keep these people here through the end of July," Kober said. "We have a severance package of pay including other benefits. But is is certainly very sad for us. We didn't want it to come to this step, but are committed to staying in Niagara Falls with our remaining business."
DuPont says it is halting the Niagara Falls Terathane operation primarily due to "the significant shift" of the overseas spandex market.
DuPont says it will also close a similar operation in Waynesboro, Virginia, cutting a total of $2,000. DuPont says production of lithium, sodium and chlorine at its second plant in Niagara Falls will continue.