90 A BICENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSISSIPPI CHEMOURS DELISLE PLANT The Chemours Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) plant began operation in 1979 as a part of DuPont’s Chemicals, Dyes, and Pigments Division. It has operated continuously since then as one of the world’s largest TiO2 plants in the world and remains near the top in production capability. The plant is situated on 2,600 acres on the north side of the Bay of St. Louis, but only about 400 of those acres were developed for industrial use. The remaining acreage is maintained by the site in its natural state, and the site has achieved certification by the National Wildlife Council as a Certified Wildlife Habitat. On July 1, 2015, DuPont completed the spinoff of its Flouroproducts, Chemical Solutions, and Titanium technologies businesses. The DeLisle plant is now a major part of the new company—Chemours. While a spinoff of that magnitude presents great challenges, the transition to a new smaller company has been successful. The DeLisle plant continues to make TiO2 with superior technology and world-class quality. TiO2 is used broadly in a number of products, primarily coatings and plastics. TiO2 adds durability, brightness, UV protection, and hiding powder to the products in which it is used. Typical end-uses are paints and coatings, architectural products like vinyl siding, PVC pipe, plastic garbage bags, and a host of other products used by the public. The DeLisle Plant maintains a strong presence in the community, most recently being recognized by the Mississippi Association of Partners in Education (MAPE) with the Partnership Excellence Award for the work they do in collaboration with DeLisle Elementary School, part of the Pass Christian School District. PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE CHEMOURS COMPANY