Carbon black plays a key role in improving properties important to tire manufacturing and tire performance. (File Photo)
ATLANTA, US: Birla Carbon said it has entered into a consent decree with the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) in connection with the USEPA’s national enforcement initiative to control air emissions from industrial sources including carbon black manufacturing facilities.
The company has agreed to pay a civil penalty of $650,000 and to invest approximately $375,000 towards additional environmental mitigation projects.
Birla Carbon has agreed to further reduce emissions of nitrogen oxide (NOX), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and particulate matter (PM) from its US carbon black plants in Franklin, La. and Hickok, Ks. It has committed to install advanced control technologies and continuous emissions monitoring systems. The control technologies will be installed and commissioned over the next four years at a cost of approximately $95 million.
“As one of the leading global manufacturers of carbon black, Birla Carbon has a long history of engaging in sustainable operational excellence activities including continuing to look for ways to reduce any potential impact that our operations could have on the environments in which we operate,” said John Loudermilk, chief operating officer, Birla Carbon.
“This settlement resolves Birla Carbon’s involvement in the USEPA’s multi-year, industry-wide initiative to have the carbon black industry reduce air emissions significantly below those required by current regulations. While Birla Carbon has denied any noncompliance, we have agreed to enter into this consent decree as part of our continued commitment to the environment and to ensure ongoing reliable supply of Birla Carbon products to our customers.”
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