Document K6J038kBbNxEqQ2K87R8bVyyr

GULFPORT, Miss., July 16 -- The Du Pont Company said today it plans to construct a plant to manufacture titanium dioxide on a site now under option in coastal Mississippi and has authorized the expenditure of $8 million for detailed design and order of long delivery equipment. The project, which now is expected to cost more than $125 million, is scheduled to begin operation in 1977 and will employ between 500 and 600 persons, i ^ Arthur H. Geil, vice president and general manager of Du Font's Figments Department, said the company is encouraged by results of site evaluations to date and support for the project shown by Gulf Coast residents and local and state officials. Du Pont first confirmed an interest in a 2200-acre site in DeLisle, Miss., on the Bay of St. Louis, in November, 1973. Since then the anticipated initial capacity has been increased from 100,000 tons to more than 125,000 tons per year. Mr, Geil said the additional capacity is in response to increasing market demand for titanium dioxide, a pigment used in paint, plastics, paper, printing ink and floor covering. The plant is planned with further expansion in mind. As a major producer of Ti02, Du Pont operates plants at ) Wilmington, Del., New Johnsonville, Tenn., and Antioch, Calif. DUP050028553 -2Du Font's fourth TiC>2 plant will use the chloride ,manufacturing process pioneered by Du Pont* Both the Antioch and New Johnsonville plants use the chloride process exclusively. The Wilmington plant, Du Font's oldest TIO2 facility, uses both the chloride and sulfate processes. It is being expanded and converted exclusively to the chloride process. New Johnsonville has recently concluded a major chloride process expansion. ###### EDITORIAL CONTACT; William Sheehy Telephone: July 16-19 -- (.601) 864-4310 July 22 and after -- (302) 774-5485 7-16-74 DUP050028554