The group will reduce capacity by 40,000tpa in July when it closes a line at Stalybridge

The group will reduce capacity by 40,000tpa in July when it closes a line at Stalybridge

Atofina is to close a polystyrene line at its northern UK plant, cutting capacity by 40,000tpa. The shutdown at the Stalybridge site near Manchester, to take effect from 1 July 2004, will reduce capacity from 110,000tpa to 70,000tpa.

Atofina said the move reflected the decline in the UK market for polystyrene over recent years. The decision will have a minimal impact on employment levels as a result of existing vacancies, retirements and redeployment, the company said.

The firm has other PS sites at Carling and Gonfreville in France as well as at El Prat in Spain. Its total capacity for the polymer, before the cutback, is more than 500,000tpa.

Arnaud d’Aramon, president of Atofina’s styrenics division, said: “Stalybridge will remain a key component of Atofina polystyrene activity, with manufacturing and technical expertise to serve both commodity grades to the UK and Irish markets and speciality grades [PS compounds] to the consumer electronics market in Europe.”