Birla Carbon Announces Agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Atlanta (Business Wire), December 22, 2017
Birla Carbon confirmed that it has entered into a consent decree with the U.S. 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. As a result of the consent decree, Birla Carbon has agreed to further reduce emissions of nitrogen oxide (NOX), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and particulate matter (PM) from its U.S. carbon black plants in Franklin, La. and Hickok, Ks.
“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.”
As a part of the settlement, Birla Carbon 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. Additionally, Birla Carbon has agreed to pay a civil penalty of $650,000 and to invest approximately $375,000 towards additional environmental mitigation projects.
About Birla Carbon
Birla Carbon is one of the world’s largest manufacturers and suppliers of high quality carbon black and a flagship business of the US$ 41 billion Aditya Birla Group. The Company’s footprint extends across 12 countries with 16 manufacturing facilities. Birla Carbon provides a complete portfolio of products across ASTM grades and specialty blacks to meet the specific end requirements across Tires, Rubber, Plastics, Coatings, Inks and other niche industries.
Birla Carbon has two state-of-the art technology centers at Marietta (USA) and Taloja (India), besides well-equipped laboratories across its manufacturing units providing for continuous R&D. As an ardent practitioner of sustainable development, Birla Carbon’s Sustainable Operational Excellence (SOE) strategy focuses on employee safety, environmental stewardship, efficient use of carbon sources and a key focus on conducting operations in a socially and ethically responsible manner.
For more information, visit: https://birlacarbon.com
