Akzo to close UK surfactants unit with loss of 54 jobs

25 June 2004 18:17  [Source: ICIS news]

LONDON (CNI)--Dutch chemicals, coatings and healthcare group Akzo Nobel revealed on Friday that it will close its surface chemistry production unit at Littleborough in the UK with the loss of 54 jobs.

 

“Over the past few years we have taken extensive measures to improve the profitability of the Littleborough site,” general manager for surfactants Europe, Börje Andersson, said. “However, the European market for surfactants still suffers from over capacity.” 

 

Surfactants Europe is part of Akzo Nobel Surface Chemistry which belongs to the group’s chemicals division.

 

Andersson said that the profitability for products manufactured at Littleborough continues to decline and closure is the only alternative. Some of the production will be moved to units in Sweden, Singapore and the US.

 

 All 54 employees at the site will be made redundant, Akzo Nobel said.

 

According to the Akzo Nobel annual report, the surface chemistry business, generated sales of Euro784m ($951m) in 2003 down from Euro836m in the prior year.

By: Nigel Davis
+44 20 8652 3214

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