German chemicals and materials firm BASF plans to decommission its catalysts production plant in Erie, PA by 2021, local news organizations reported this week. 75 workers at the facility will be impacted.

“Despite significant investments to improve assets, long-term profitable operations are no longer possible in Erie,” the company said in a statement sent to YourErie.com. “The decision to exit operations in Erie is based on longer-term business considerations and customer needs.”

Opened in 1958, BASF’s Erie plant manufactures base-metal catalysts and liquid catalysts, according to information on the company’s website. 

Production will end at BASF’s Erie plant this year, though the site will fulfill orders through the first quarter of 2021, coverage by ErieNewsNow.com said. The stucture will be demolished by mid-2022. 

“This is a difficult decision and we are grateful for the BASF Erie site team’s dedication over the years and during the transition,” Travis Rollins, site manager of the Erie plant, told the Ellwood City Ledger. “Our priorities continue to be the well-being of our employees and maintaining safe operations during the closure process.”

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