🧪 Durez Plastics and Asbestos Exposure

Durez Plastics, a division of the Hooker Chemical Company and later owned by Occidental Chemical Corporation, was a major manufacturer of thermoset molded plastics. During the mid-20th century, Durez incorporated asbestos fibers into its plastics to enhance heat resistance and durability—particularly in automotive, electrical, and industrial applications.

This use of asbestos exposed thousands of factory workers, technicians, and end-users to deadly airborne fibers during production, handling, and installation of molded plastic parts.

🏭 Company Overview

• Founded: 1921

• Headquarters: North Tonawanda, New York

• Industry: Plastic molding and thermoset composites

• Still in Business? ❌ No (operations ceased)

• Asbestos Trust Fund? ✅ Yes – Claims handled through Occidental Chemical Asbestos Trust

🧱 Where Asbestos Was Used

Durez added asbestos to phenolic resins and molded compounds used in:

• Brake pads and clutch facings

• Electrical insulators and switchgear

• Industrial bushings and gaskets

• Automotive and appliance components

• High-friction and high-temperature parts

These asbestos-reinforced products were extensively used in automobiles, power plants, chemical processing, and consumer electronics.

👷 Who Was Exposed

• Factory workers handling asbestos molding compounds

• Brake and clutch technicians installing friction products

• Electricians working with switchgear and molded insulators

• Auto assembly line workers and machinists

• Engineers and tool/die makers using asbestos-molded components

Asbestos exposure occurred during mixing, molding, machining, or repair operations, especially when sanding or cutting components.

⚖️ Lawsuits and Legal History

Beginning in the 1980s, Durez Plastics and its parent companies faced numerous asbestos lawsuits from former workers and end-users who developed:

• Mesothelioma

• Asbestosis

• Lung cancer

Plaintiffs argued that:

• Durez failed to warn workers about asbestos risks

• The company did not provide respirators or protective gear

• Safer alternatives existed but were ignored for decades

As liabilities mounted, Durez’s parent company Occidental Chemical Corporation became involved in establishing an asbestos settlement trust.

🧾 Known Asbestos Products by Durez

📈 How Many People Were Exposed?

Total Estimated Exposure: 51,000+ individuals

🪖 Military and Government Exposure

While Durez was not a military contractor, its products were widely used in:

• Military vehicles and aircraft (as brake pads and insulators)

• Defense facility equipment

• Shipboard electrical components

Personnel working on military motor pools, electrical systems, and ship repair likely encountered Durez asbestos-containing materials.

❓ Can I Still File a Lawsuit Against Durez Plastics?

✅ Yes. Claims can still be filed through Occidental Chemical Corporation’s Asbestos Trust, which includes liabilities from Durez Plastics.

Important Notes:

• Legal counsel can help link your exposure to Durez materials

• Evidence such as employment records or product receipts can strengthen claims

• Compensation may be available for mesothelioma and other diseases

📌 Durez Plastics Summary at a Glance