Wilmington – DowDuPont will shutter it’s Chambers Works Site in Deepwater, NJ and move the production line to India, according to spokesman Daniel Turner.
The Chambers Works Site currently produces chemicals used in Kevlar, which is used in bullet-resistant material, and Nomex, which is used in heat and flame-resistant applications.
Turner’s statement
“The Safety & Construction business is transitioning the manufacturing of its aramid intermediates from the Chambers Works Site in Deepwater, NJ to suppliers who have newer process technology. Sourcing these ingredients from others who have newer and more productive processes allows us to focus on growth opportunities including new product innovation and the modernization of Kevlar® and Nomex® manufacturing.”
About 100 Chambers Works aramids employees will be impacted, and we will provide support and assistance to help them find other positions in the company or with other local employers. Our Transportation & Advanced Polymers business will continue to maintain a presence at the site.
Since there are no other suppliers of these materials in the U.S., Transpek Limited in India will be the primary supply source.
We plan to stop manufacturing at Chambers Works at the end of March with decommissioning complete this summer.
Our largest Kevlar® manufacturing site is in Richmond, VA. This announcement will not have an impact for Kevlar® customers since DuPont will continue to produce polymer needed to make Kevlar at our Richmond site. Also, we are investing more than $50 million in modernizing Kevlar® and Nomex® manufacturing in Richmond.