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Overview

In 1948 DuPont constructed its Chattanooga, Tennessee, nylon plant to meet the widespread post-war demand for this popular synthetic material. The plant was the company's third nylon production facility; it initially employed 900 workers and produced 8 million pounds of nylon per year. Later Chattanooga manufactured new nylon-based products such as Cordura® yarns for tire filaments and soft-sided luggage; Zytel® and Minlon® engineering resins to replace metal in automotive parts; and Zenite® LCP (liquid crystal polymer) resins for precision, high-heat resistant electrical and electronic components. In 1997 DuPont undertook a major $250 million renovation and expansion program at the Chattanooga plant that created 300 new jobs.

The Chattanooga plant has set several world safety records and received the National Safety Council's Award of Honor in 1959, 1967 and 1980. The plant also supports a 200-acre wildlife preserve that was the first such conservation area in Tennessee certified by the National Institute for Urban Wildlife, and the only one that the Wildlife Habitat Enhancement Council certified as Highest Habitat in 1991. In addition to its safety and conservation activities, the plant sponsors the Safe Kids program in city schools as well as the DuPont Community Initiatives Funds program for various educational and environmental endeavors in the region. The Chattanooga plant also has contributed generously to several museums and scientific research institutions in East Tennessee.

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