Rohm and Haas Powder Coatings has announced plans to shutter its Aldridge, UK powder coatings plant, consolidating its manufacturing facilities in Europe to three sites.  Production will be transferred to its other European sites in Germany, Italy and Spain.  

The proposed consolidation comes in response to the business’ commitment to reducing fixed costs and providing the most efficient and low cost manufacturing model in support of our sales and marketing investment, and to focus on the goal of restoring sales growth and profitability.  The powder coatings market has been experiencing a number of challenges over the last several years, including over-capacity, lower demand in the ER powder coatings market, a shift in downstream customers from ER to emerging markets, and sustained increases in raw material prices, the company said.

Approximately 70 employees at the Aldridge site will be affected.