Solutia Converts Carpet Fiber Plant to Plastics

St. Louis, MO, June 16, 2008--Solutia has completed a $182 million deal with three Chinese companies for vydyne, a heat-resistant nylon-based plastic manufactured at its Pensacola, Fla. plant.

"This contract is important to Pensacola because instead of shipping carpet fibers to U.S. customers, now the bulk of our production is being shipped to our customers in China," said Solutia senior vice president Jonathon Wright.

A recent conversion of a carpet fiber-making machine to vydyne production will add 150 million pounds of annual capacity to the Pensacola plant, which currently produces about 25 million pounds a month.

The company said that a few years ago, 80 percent of its production was carpet fibers, but now 80 percent of production is vydyne and it ships to customers all over the world."

Executives with two of the Chinese companies — Kingfa Science and Technology Co. Ltd. and Yinzhu Chem-Tex Group Co. — were among a delegation of 30 businessmen and businesswomen touring the Pensacola plant on Friday.

Leading the delegation was Wang Zhong Qi, chairman of China's national Chamber of Commerce for Import & Export of Light Industrial Products and Arts.

Wright said contracts with the three companies will help ensure the continued viability of the Pensacola plant, which employs more than 1,000 workers.