Science Company DuPont announced that by mid-August, a floodwall at the DuPont DeLisle, plant would rise to a height of 30 feet to protect the plant from future storms. The company will spend $15 to 20 million to top the existing 20-foot earthen levee. The titanium dioxide plant was badly damaged during Hurricane Katrina.
Titanium dioxide is a white pigment used widely in the paper, dye, plastics and coatings industries. DuPont is the world's largest manufacturer of the pigment.
Now fully operational after months of intensive reconstruction, the titanium dioxide plant is running at near-capacity rates. Stringent DuPont construction and engineering standards helped the site avoid substantial structural damage and its environmental systems remained intact during the storm's assault. However, most of its electronic and computer systems were destroyed due to water damage.
When the DeLisle site was constructed in 1974, the storm surge caused by Hurricane Camille in 1969 was the standard upon which storm protection measures were based. Hurricane Katrina's historic storm surge proved the case for an additional margin of safety at DeLisle.
Shortly after assessing storm damage to the plant in late August, DuPont declared to its customers that a “force majeure” event had occurred, preventing and excusing DuPont from performing its obligations under supply contracts. DuPont today also announced that the Force Majeure declaration will be lifted immediately.
DuPont is a science company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.
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