CLEVELAND — Plastics manufacturer PolyOne Corp. announced plans Friday to upgrade eight colorization plants and close four others — including one in Florence — as part of an ongoing restructuring effort.

        PolyOne said 180 workers will be laid off with the closings in 2002 at plants in Florence; Broadview Heights, Ohio; Gastonia, N.C.; and Somerset, N.J. Expansion of production lines at eight remaining facilities will create 30 new jobs.

        “We are going to make every attempt to get those 30 people from the facilities we are closing,” company spokesman Dennis Cocco said.

        PolyOne plans to invest $18 million to increase production capacity by 15 percent at colorization facilities in Norwalk, Ohio; Elk Grove Village, Ill.; Glendale, Ariz.; Lehigh Valley, Pa.; St. Peters., Mo.; Vonore, Tenn.; Fort Worth, Texas; and Seabrook, Texas.

        The company expects consolidation of its operations throughout the plastic compounds and colors division will save $35 million to $50 million a year.

        In June, PolyOne announced the closing of three and expansion of four engineered materials plants. The final consolidation announcement, in the company's vinyl compounding lines, will be announced later this year, Mr. Cocco said.

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