Solvay Advanced Polymers suspends production at Mississippi site

Solvay Advanced Polymers LLC announced on September 15 that it will suspend production at its facility in Bay St. Louis, Miss., that makes the plastic, PrimoSpire SRP (self-reinforced polyphenylene), in order to refocus its people and assets on research and development to fully commercialize the product. The move will eliminate 14 positions at the site while retaining five R&D positions and transferring another five employees to other facilities and sites within the company.

“We see great opportunity for PrimoSpire SRP in a multitude of industries and applications and are committed to funding its development,” said Chris Wilson, senior vice president for ultra polymers, Solvay Advanced Polymers. “This strategic business decision will focus assets and personnel on refining and improving the process technologies necessary to realize PrimoSpire’s full commercial potential. We regret the impact this move will have on affected employees and the community.”

Solvay Advanced Polymers will offer severance packages and comprehensive outplacement services to affected employees. In addition, the company will continue talks with some affected employees about other opportunities within the company.

PrimoSpire SRP is one of the stiffest and strongest unreinforced plastics in the world and is unique in its ability to deliver extremely high compressive strength and heat resistance without reinforcement. Solvay Advanced Polymers currently has ample inventory on hand to serve existing customers and seed any development opportunities with prospective customers.

About Solvay Advanced Polymers
Solvay Advanced Polymers LLC produces more plastics with more performance than any other company in the world. Solvay is an international industrial group active in chemistry. It offers a broad range of products and solutions that contribute to improving quality of life. The group is headquartered in Brussels and its companies employ approximately 17,000 people in 40 countries. In 2009, its consolidated sales amounted to EUR 8.45 billion. For more information, visit Solvay's website.