Katrina forces DuPont to declare force majeure in aniline and TiO2

By Liz White, UT staffWilmington, Delaware-Extensive flooding caused by Hurricane Katrina has affected two of DuPont’s facilities in Mississippi-the First Chemical Corp. aniline plant at Pascagoula and a titanium dioxide plant at DeLisle. As a result, DuPont declared “force majeure” for both businesses on 31 Aug. The company has as yet no clear idea when the plants will be restarting, although it said a preliminary assessment of damage has been carried out. DuPont produces 25 percent of the aniline used in the US market-some of which is used to make polyurethane. In titanium dioxide, DuPont says it is the world’s largest producer of the material, used to manufacture resins, polymers, and as an ingredient in coatings.DuPont said is working closely with customers to lessen the impact on their business.Other DuPont plants in Pontchartrain and Burnside in Louisiana, and Mobile, Alabama, were not as badly affected. The company said it is assessing the position on restarting those operations.”