Document EvbV5RZYp2pEdB0jEm29z7bL4

From: John F. Kane Plant Manager E. I. du Pont de Nemours $ Company Edgemoor, Delaware WILMINGTON, Del*, Nov. 18 -- Plans for the permanent shutdown and dismantlement of the idle Line I production facility at the Du Pont Company's Edge Moor titanium dioxide plant were announced today by John F. Kane, plant manager. The dismantlement would not result in any additional layoffs. The line was idled on June 16. Mr. Kane said that a majority of the employees who were laid off as a result of the idling have been placed in other jobs with Du Pont and other companies. The plant now employs approximately 600. Mr. Kane said that existing Du Pont capacity without Line I is considered adequate to meet anticipated growth in demand for titanium dioxide. This outlook led to the plans first to idle and then to shut down the facility. Line I is the company's oldest titanium dioxide manufacturing facility, he said. Mr. Kane said titanium dioxide pigment grades previously manufactured on Line I are available from Edge Moor's newer Line II and from other Du Pont plants. Titanium dioxide produced at Edge Moor is used primarily in the paper, plastics and coatings industries. The company operates other titanium dioxide plants in New Johnsonville, Tenn., DeLisle, Miss., and Antioch, Calif. ##### Contact: John F. Kane Tel: 302/772-0200 11/18/80