Irving-based Celanese Corp. Shuts Down Mexican Chemicals Plant, Cuts 200 Jobs

Irving-based chemicals company Celanese Corp. announced Friday it will shut down its Ocotlán, Jalisco, Mexico plant and eliminate 200 jobs. The company said it will discontinue production of acetate flake at the site and cease all manufacturing by Oct. 31. The shutdown follows previous reductions at the plant. In June 2018, the location discontinued acetate tow production. Celanese will continue producing acetate flake at facilities in Lanaken, Belgium, and Narrows, Virginia and through Chinese partners. Acetate flake is used to make plastics, films and fibers.In a statement, the company said the shutdown is part of a larger consolidation of global acetate manufacturing, designed to “reduce fixed costs, align future production capacities with anticipated demand.” Marcel van Amerongen, vice president of Celanase’s acetate tow business, said in a statement the decision lets the company optimize costs and footprint. “With China manufacturers completing plans for expanding acetate flake capacity in 2020, demands for imported flake will be reduced significantly,” van Amerongen said in a statement. The company has 7,700 employees worldwide. At the end of 2018, it had 648 employees at three facilities in Mexico, including the Ocotlán plant. “This was an extremely difficult decision given the impact to our employees and the local community, and we are dedicated to making this transition as smooth as possible,” van Amerogen said. “Today’s action is not a reflection of the quality of work performed by our employees at the Ocotlán site."   Continue reading...