ARNHEM, the Netherlands - Akzo Nobel will close the McCook plant operated by its Surfactants business in the Chicago area. A project has started to transfer production to some of the company's other U.S. chemicals facilities, with completion of the transition and closure of the site expected by the end of 2007. The McCook site employs around 100 people, with efforts being made to make alternative employment available at other Akzo Nobel sites in the United States.