Tronox to close TiO₂ plant in Netherlands
Last update on Mar 18, 2025
Tronox, an integrated manufacturer of titanium dioxide (TiO2) pigment, announces that as a result of a strategic review of its asset footprint, Tronox has informed its Netherlands' labor force that it intends to idle its 90,000 metric ton per year TiO2 plant in Botlek, the Netherlands.
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Cost savings from idling Botlek facility
The site is currently shut-down due to an outage by the site's chlorine supplier that began on March 6, 2025, but upon conclusion of consultation with the works council, is not expected to be brought back online. Tronox expects this action will not impact its ability to serve customers, as Tronox will leverage its diverse footprint to provide uninterrupted supply. The operating site currently employs approximately 240 impacted permanent staff.
John D. Romano, chief executive officer, commented, "Our announcement today is the result of an extensive review of our asset footprint driven by the ongoing global supply imbalance caused by Chinese competition as well as an increasingly challenged operating environment over the last two and a half years."
"Idling our Botlek facility enables the optimization of our remaining facilities and improves our overall manufacturing costs. Our Botlek colleagues are an important part of our Tronox team. We are committed to assisting employees during this difficult time and will be providing support by local management and a comprehensive range of services."
Tronox estimates incurring restructuring and other related charges of approximately $130-160 million, primarily over the next 18 months, including $55-65 million of non-cash write-downs related to the idling of the facility. Cost savings are estimated to exceed $30 million annually from 2026 onwards.
The cost savings from the idling of the Botlek site are incremental to the Company's previously identified $125-175 million of sustainable, run-rate cost improvements deliverable by the end of 2026. As a result of these intended actions, free cash flow for the full year 2025 is expected to be greater than $50 million.
John D. Romano, chief executive officer, commented, "Our announcement today is the result of an extensive review of our asset footprint driven by the ongoing global supply imbalance caused by Chinese competition as well as an increasingly challenged operating environment over the last two and a half years."
"Idling our Botlek facility enables the optimization of our remaining facilities and improves our overall manufacturing costs. Our Botlek colleagues are an important part of our Tronox team. We are committed to assisting employees during this difficult time and will be providing support by local management and a comprehensive range of services."
Tronox estimates incurring restructuring and other related charges of approximately $130-160 million, primarily over the next 18 months, including $55-65 million of non-cash write-downs related to the idling of the facility. Cost savings are estimated to exceed $30 million annually from 2026 onwards.
The cost savings from the idling of the Botlek site are incremental to the Company's previously identified $125-175 million of sustainable, run-rate cost improvements deliverable by the end of 2026. As a result of these intended actions, free cash flow for the full year 2025 is expected to be greater than $50 million.
Source
Tronox