Circleville, OH — DuPont announced on September 5, 2024, the closure of its Tedlar® production unit at the Circleville, Ohio facility. This decision comes as a result of challenging conditions in the global photovoltaic market and follows an extensive review of the Tedlar® photovoltaics business. The review included a thorough assessment of manufacturing operations, order forecasts, network capabilities, and capital investment needs.
The Circleville facility has been a key player in the production of Tedlar®, a white film material essential for solar-panel fabrication. Developed in 1961, Tedlar® serves as a protective backsheet for solar cells, offering insulation and defense against environmental factors. Despite its long history and significant role in the industry, the unit’s closure reflects the current global market pressures facing the photovoltaic sector.
As part of the transition, employees at the Circleville Tedlar® unit will be provided with severance benefits and support to help them find new job opportunities. They will also have the chance to apply for other positions within DuPont. However, the company has indicated that not all employees can be accommodated within the organization.
The closure affects not only DuPont’s workforce but also its contractual relationships. The company’s contract with On-Board has been terminated, leading to the dismissal of On-Board employees, who are now left to seek new employment.
Some employees have reported that they were given almost no notice that this was happening, “I received the call yesterday on my day off. They told me to come in the following day to get my stuff. The crew that was working that day were told to leave halfway through their shift.”
“I havent worked their long enough to get unemployment. I had a close coworker struggling to get by with a sick spouse at home needing expensive medical care. I’m angry that DuPont didn’t care enough about their employees to let them know in advance to get work lined up,” said one former employee.
DuPont will continue to serve its photovoltaic customers using Tedlar® products from its Yerkes, New York facility. The global Tedlar® businesses will operate as usual, maintaining their commitment to delivering high-quality products to the market.
The Tedlar® division, operational since December 2011 at the Circleville site, will wind down its activities in the coming months, as DuPont adjusts to the evolving market landscape.
