Durez Plastics & Chemicals (Hooker Chemical / Occidental)

Durez Plastics & Chemicals Corporation was a major manufacturer of asbestos-filled phenolic molding compounds during the 1930s–1970s asbestos era. The company was acquired by Hooker Chemical in 1955, and later became part of Occidental Chemical Corporation. Its Durite™ brand of asbestos-phenolic compounds was widely used in electrical-component manufacturing.

Asbestos use period

Durez continued asbestos use through 1978. The company maintained the standard 3-5% asbestos by weight filler composition typical of the industry, with specific high-performance grades using higher percentages for specialized applications.

Plants

  • North Tonawanda, New York — Durez headquarters and primary phenolic compound manufacturing plant
  • Niagara Falls, New York — secondary Durez compound production
  • Kenton, Ohio — Midwest Durez phenolic operations

Litigation history

Durez has been a named defendant in numerous asbestos-phenolic exposure cases:

  • Kestenbaum v. Durez/UCC (2013, NY) — Summary judgment denied; the court record in this case established the asbestos content of Durez and UCC phenolic compounds
  • Durez electrician settlement — $1.7 million publicly reported
  • Former Durez worker (2022) — $2.5 million+ publicly reported settlement

Successor liability through Occidental Chemical Corporation makes Occidental the active defendant for current Durez-product claims.

Worker exposure pathways at Durez plants

Workers at the North Tonawanda, Niagara Falls, and Kenton Durez operations were exposed during raw asbestos handling, Durite compound formulation, pelletizing, packaging, and shipping. Downstream molding-shop workers experienced compound handling, hopper loading, molding, trimming, and finishing exposures.

If you worked with this company’s asbestos-phenolic compounds

Worker exposure documentation typically includes: pay stubs and W-2s showing employment dates, union dispatch records (for union-shop members), social security earnings statements, and any company-issued product or material safety information you may have retained.

Free, confidential case evaluation: Speak with O’Brien Law Firm — (314) 936-2956

All consultations are free. No fee unless a financial recovery is made on your behalf.

References to manufacturers, products, and litigation history reflect what has been alleged or documented in publicly filed asbestos litigation, federal regulatory records, and industry archives. This information does not constitute a finding of fact or liability.