Baxter to Close Plant After Dialysis Deaths

Baxter International Inc. said it will close the plant in Sweden that made dialysis filters believed to have played a role in more than 50 deaths worldwide.

The decision followed a halt in production of the filters and will affect 158 employees at the plant in Ronneby, 230 miles south of Stockholm, Baxter said.

Baxter will keep 40 to 50 people working three to six months to make another component for dialysis machines while it looks for someone to take over the plant.

Baxter also planned to stop production at a plant in Miami Lakes, Fla., that made fibers for the filters. That move will affect about 100 employees.

Baxter shares rose 54 cents to $49.54 on the NYSE.