GREENWOOD, S.C. - A sharp drop in demand for nylon has forced the layoff of more than 300 workers, or about one-third of the work force, at Solutia Inc.’s Greenwood, S.C., plant.

Spokeswoman Missy Hammond, who said the company plans to divest its nylon manufacturing operations, blamed the layoffs on a troubled economy.

“What we are seeing, in the past six weeks, is an unprecedented drop in demand throughout our entire nylon business,” she said.

The company said layoffs have taken place since August. The Index-Journal of Greenwood reported many workers were notified over the weekend.

Some of those laid off were employed directly by Solutia; others worked for a contract company.

Hammond said about 600 people still work at the plant.

Greenwood is a city of about 22,000 in western South Carolina, midway between Greenville, S.C., and Augusta, Ga.

Solutia, based in St. Louis, makes specialty chemicals and products for various industries. The company announced last month it plans to divest its nylon manufacturing operation.

The company said it was exploring “strategic alternatives” and “a disposition of these assets is currently anticipated by the end of the first quarter 2009.”

Hammond would not say whether there would be additional layoffs in Greenwood.

“The market is going to determine future measures that we take,” she said.

The layoffs were a blow for workers entering the holiday season.

Jerome Lee worked at the plant 13 years.

“Here I am, I’ve got a mortgage payment, I’ve got child support, we’re right here at Christmas,” he said.

“Now I’m in unemployment. How am I going to find a job when all of these other people who have been laid off looking for a job, too?”

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