Chemtura layoffs could threaten West Lafayette site

The Great Lakes Chemical Corp. office and research-and-development facility in West Lafayette might be hit by layoffs planned by its Middlebury, Mass., parent, Chemtura Corp. Chemtura said yesterday that it plans to lay off 620, or 10 percent, of its global work force as part of a restructuring aimed at gaining closer access to customers.

The West Lafayette site employs 155 who specialize in flame retardants used in products ranging from furniture to televisions.

Chemtura was formed by a 2005 merger between West Lafayette-based Great Lakes and Crompton Corp.