Reichhold Chemicals, Inc. was a major chemical manufacturer that produced asbestos-containing phenolic molding compounds at its Carteret, New Jersey facility. Deposition testimony in asbestos litigation establishes that the Carteret plant was Reichhold’s only facility that manufactured phenolic molding compounds, with production beginning approximately 1963.

Asbestos use period

Reichhold began phenolic molding compound production at Carteret around 1963, consistent with the industry’s peak asbestos-phenolic era. Production continued through the mid-to-late 1970s when asbestos-free formulations became commercially viable.

Facility

  • Carteret, New Jersey — Reichhold’s sole phenolic molding compound manufacturing plant; deposition-confirmed as the only Reichhold facility producing asbestos-phenolic compounds

An Elizabeth, New Jersey plant was also referenced in litigation discovery, but deposition testimony specifically confirmed that Elizabeth did not manufacture phenolic molding compounds — Carteret was the sole production site for that product line.

Compound products

Reichhold’s phenolic molding compounds were sold to downstream molding shops that used them to manufacture electrical components, automotive parts, appliances, and industrial equipment. Workers at both the Carteret manufacturing plant and at the downstream molding facilities that received Reichhold compound were exposed to asbestos.

Worker exposure pathways

At the Carteret plant, workers in raw material handling, compound formulation, blending, pelletizing, and packaging operations were exposed to asbestos fiber during the manufacture of phenolic compound. Downstream molding shop workers who received and processed Reichhold compound experienced the same exposure pathway as workers using other brands — bag dumping, hopper loading, press operation, trimming, and deflashing.

Successor liability

Reichhold has gone through multiple ownership changes. Current successor entities carry liability for Reichhold’s asbestos-era phenolic compound manufacturing.

If you worked with Reichhold phenolic compounds

Workers who handled Reichhold phenolic molding compound at the Carteret plant or at downstream molding facilities may have been exposed to asbestos.

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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.