FOLEY, Ala. — A Solutia Inc. spokesperson this week called current market conditions “an unprecedented decline” in the company’s nylon products. As a result, 58 Solutia employees have been temporarily laid off at the Solutia Nylon plant in Foley.

“We have temporarily laid off 58 employees, the reason being we’re having to adjust our operation to meet the market demands,” said Melissa V. Hammonds with corporate communications at Solutia Inc.’s St. Louis, Mo., headquarters.

Twelve Foley plant employees have lost their jobs permanently along with 10 contractors, Hammonds said.

Plant leadership began notifying employees impacted by the action last week, on Nov. 21, according to a press release issued by Solutia the same day.

Solutia plans to bring those employees temporarily laid off back to work once plant production returns to more normal levels, Hammonds said.

The Foley plant serves as a packaging and process facility for Solutia’s manufacturing plant in Pensacola.

Prior to the layoffs, Hammonds said the Foley plant employed 110 people.

According to the release, Solutia employees who are losing their jobs permanently are eligible for severance packages. Those employees temporarily laid off are eligible to continue their health and other benefits. Solutia is also assisting with filing for unemployment benefits, the release said.

In June, Solutia announced that it was exploring “strategic alternatives” for its Nylon business, including its possible sale.