DuPont engineering teams have completed preliminary assessments of damage to the company's DeLisle, Miss., titanium dioxide plant resulting from Hurricane Katrina. The plant escaped major structural damage from the storm's high winds.

"If everything goes smoothly, we hope to restart production at DeLisle in about three months, with the plant back at full capacity by spring of 2006 -- the industry's seasonal peak," said Sam Severance, vice president and general manager, DuPont Titanium Technologies.  "It is too early to accurately estimate the full costs of clean-up, repair, business interruption, and replacement investment, but clearly the total impact of Hurricane Katrina will be significant to our customers and our operations."

Severance stressed that the company is committed to the DeLisle plant's recovery, despite the fact that soaring energy and raw materials costs continue to depress margins.  The unplanned cost of repairing storm damage at DeLisle is significant.  However, previously planned improvements at the company's Kuan Yin, Taiwan, and Altamira, Mexico, sites and a possible new plant in China are also important elements in the financial future of the business.

"To assist us in achieving that future and to continue serving our global markets, we are firmly implementing price increases in all regions, as previously announced, effective on Oct. 1," he said.  "These increases were necessary to offset earlier increases in energy and raw materials costs.  But in light of the damage to our DeLisle facility, and the continuing escalation of these and other costs, it will be especially important to DuPont that these increases be implemented as announced." 

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.

9/21/05