An old landmark on the road to Aransas Pass will cease operations at the end of the year. I understand that a developer has plans to build 600 upscale homes on both sides of the road at or near the old plant. This could be centered on the old abandoned marina known as Lindsey's Landing. It will be interesting to see what effect this will have on real estate in Rockport.

Evonik Degussa to Close US Carbon Black Plant

By Notch

On August 28, 2008, Evonik Degussa Corporation announced that it planned to cease production at its carbon black plant in Aransas Pass, Texas by the end of 2008. The move will affect 30 of 38 positions at the plant. The plant will continue to ship carbon black until year-end to fulfill existing contracts. After manufacturing has ceased, the site will be used as a warehouse.

The Aransas Pass plant, located 220 miles south of Houston, began operations in 1941 as a two-unit channel black plant. Furnace black production at the site began in 1977, when the plant was purchased by Ashland. Degussa bought the plant in 1988.

Degussa Evonik said that the decision came after an intensive review of its North American operations, and is accompanied by an investment program to increase efficiencies at the company’s remaining US plants, located in Ivanhoe, Louisiana; Orange and Borger, Texas; and Belpre, Ohio. These investments have already begun, according to the company.