This closure coincides with the successful launch of Röhm's new, state-of-the-art methyl methacrylate (MMA) production plant in Bay City, Texas, designed to enhance efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
Röhm America LLC has officially ceased operations at its Westwego, Louisiana facility as of the end of June 2025, marking a significant milestone in the company's long-term strategic transformation. This closure, which was initially announced two years ago, aligns directly with the successful commissioning and start-up of Röhm's new world-scale methyl methacrylate (MMA) production plant in Bay City, Texas.
The Westwego facility, which has been a part of Röhm's production network for years, has concluded its manufacturing activities as planned. This strategic decision was made after comprehensive financial and production network analyses, aimed at enhancing efficiency and optimizing the company's global supply chain. While the exact number of employees impacted by the Westwego closure was not immediately disclosed in the recent announcement, earlier reports indicated around 70 salaried and hourly employees would be affected. Röhm America has expressed its sincere appreciation to all employees in Westwego for their dedication and contributions over the years, and previously stated it would provide guidance and support to affected employees, including financial packages, in partnership with industry resources and the United Steel Workers union.
The transition to the new Bay City, Texas plant represents a leap forward in MMA production technology. This state-of-the-art facility boasts an impressive annual capacity of 250,000 metric tons and is built on Röhm's proprietary LiMA (Leading in MethAcrylates) technology. The LiMA process is lauded for its significantly higher yields and substantially lower CO2 emissions when compared to traditional MMA production routes. This technological advancement underscores Röhm's commitment to sustainability and its efforts to reduce its environmental footprint. The new plant's strategic location in Bay City, with access to key raw materials like ethylene and methanol readily available on the U.S. Gulf Coast, further strengthens supply security for Röhm's global customer base.
With the Bay City plant now fully operational, the majority of Röhm's customer demand for MMA is being met from this new, highly efficient site. This transition is expected to not only streamline Röhm's production capabilities but also to provide enhanced reliability and efficiency in meeting the growing global demand for MMA, a crucial building block monomer used in a wide range of applications including coatings, plastics, and construction.
Röhm remains a committed and reliable partner to its customers, emphasizing that this strategic shift is designed to improve overall service and product delivery.
