Eastman moves to close UK acetate tow plant

Market: Petrochemicals
03/02/15

Eastman Chemical is considering closing its 24,000 t/yr Workington acetate tow manufacturing facility in the United Kingdom in response to global oversupply.

"With recent and announced global acetate tow manufacturing capacity additions, we need less capacity to supply our customers," said Linda Hensley, vice president and general manager of the fibers segment. The company is beginning a consultation period regarding the closure and is working with union and employee representatives.

The company also manufactures acetate tow at its facilities in Kingsport, Tennessee and Ulsan, Korea. It has a total global acetate tow capacity of 210,000 t/yr. Eastman's joint venture with the China National Tobacco Company in Heifei, China, includes 30,000 t/yr of acetate tow production capacity.

Acetate tow is a fibrous material used to manufacture cigarette filter rods.

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