CHEMICALS

DuPont to Cut 1,500 Fiber Jobs: The world’s largest nylon maker said it will take the action in its fiber businesses to make them more competitive, resulting in a first-quarter charge of $27 million. The action affects about 1,200 employees at DuPont’s North American nylon and Dacron polyester divisions, with 800 to be fired and 400 transferred to other jobs. An additional 300 people who work under contract will be dismissed, DuPont said. The quarterly charge will reduce earnings by 5 cents a share, the Wilmington, Del.-based company said. Its fiber units contributed about $7.2 billion, or 17%, of its 1995 revenue of $42.2 billion. DuPont shares fell $1.25 to $76.50 on the New York Stock Exchange.