A uranium conversion facility in Metropolis, Illinois, is idling production and reducing its workforce by 170 full-time positions and numerous contractors.
Honeywell is temporarily halting UF6 production citing a global oversupply and a decrease in demand. A spokesperson for the company said Monday there is a 15% decline in demand for nuclear fuel following the Fukushima disaster in Japan.
Honeywell will keep the plant at minimal operations should business conditions improve.
The company says demand is unlikely to increase before 2020.
According to the World Nuclear Association, the Metropolis facility is the only conversion plant in the United States.
