MOSS POINT, Miss. — Rohm and Haas Co. has announced that it will exit the Liquid Polysulfide and Insulated Glass businesses and cease production of those products at its Moss Point, Miss., chemicals facility. “This decision was a difficult one,” notes Nick Gutwein, vice president and business director of Rohm and Haas Co.’s Adhesives and Sealants Business. “We have enjoyed a wonderful reputation in the LP and IG markets. However, given the present market dynamics and the substantial investment required at our Moss Point facility, we could no longer justify staying in the business.”

Annual sales for the LP/IG Business are approximately $60 million. Gutwein notes that the negative sales and volume growth for the business, competing technologies and substantial capital investment at Moss Point to bring the facility up to acceptable manufacturing standards were the factors in the decision.

The company intends to continue to operate its Liquid Polysulfide operations at Moss Point through mid-December 2001. It will meet all customer commitments; however, new orders and contracts will be accepted only on a case-by-case basis. Approximately 165 positions will be eliminated by the exit.