“Holy crap.”
Those were the first thoughts that came to mind when Trenton Mayor Pro-Tem Richard Benedetti got the word that Solutia Inc. was shutting down its West Jefferson operation by the end of December.
Eastman Chemical Co., based in Kingsport, Tennessee, recently informed union officials at Trenton’s Solutia Inc. plant of its intention to close.
“We will have to grasp this and figure out what we are going to do,” Benedetti said. “It’s not the best news for us to be getting right now. I had no idea this was coming, but I’ve been wondering what was going to happen there.”
Kristin Parker, a corporate communications officer for Eastman, said the employees have a “great track record,” but said a business decision had to be made.
According to the company, the closure is not a reflection of the performance of the employees working at the support site.
Lower product demand and financial difficulties brought about due to the COVID-19 pandemic forced the decision to shut the plant down, Parker said.
Benedetti said there will still be taxable value there, but the council will have to sit down and start figuring some things out.
“Our budget is going to be way worse than this year, I know that,” he said. “We will come up with some ideas and we’ll get through this. I can guarantee that.”
The plant produces PVB (polyvinal butyral) resins used primarily in interlayers for automotive and architectural laminated glass and also sold as resins used in several applications such as coatings and inks.
Parker said there are several reasons playing into the plant’s closure.
“In addition to the lower demand outlook for the interlayers product for at least the next two to three years, there is a need to make large capital investments to maintain boiler and process water access,” a statement from Eastman said. “This decision to exit the site will help improve the ongoing cost structure of the business. We are committed to maintaining the safety and environmental stewardship of the site throughout the closure.”
Solutia is one of 21 plants owned by Eastman in the United States.
