ONTARIO: Chemical emissions are down

By MARC KILCHLING

November 28, 2008 11:32 pm

— NIAGARA FALLS, Ont. — Emissions from the Niagara’s chemical producers hit their lowest level in 16 years during 2007, says a report released Thursday by Niagara Community Awareness and Emergency Response.
The report by the industry oversight group showed chemical emissions dropped 19 percent from the previous year.
“Even with a 20 percent drop in production over the past two years, many of your wastes stay at a constant level,” John Dunn of Niagara CAER said. “Most plants are continuing to work to minimize emissions, continuing a long-term downward trend in reduced emissions.”
The chemical industry employs 450 people in eight plants in the Niagara region. From brake linings produced by Durez in Fort Erie to lubricating oils made by Lubrizol in the Falls, they create a variety of products with nearly half destined for the export market.
Oxy Vinyls is the largest chemical company in the region, producing PVC products for use in house siding, packaging and automotive supplies. The manufacturing process results in vinyl chloride monomer, a high toxic byproduct, being produced.
“There has been a 66 percent reduction in VCM since 2000,” plant manager Don Davidson said.
A Royal Polymers plant in Sarnia with similar capacity produces four times as much as the Niagara Falls plant, according to figures released by Oxy Vinyls.
Mancuso Chemicals, a Niagara Falls operation producing industrial resins, led the group with a 93 percent drop in emissions, with much of that coming from a decrease in methanol emissions.
“We’ve worked at upgrading equipment and increasing employee training to reduce our emissions,” said plant manager Robert Patel.
It’s not only environmental concerns that prompt the area’s chemical producers to work at reducing emissions.
“Waste reduction always pays,” CYTEC Canada’s Martin Lehman said.
Niagara CAER’s full report is available online at www.niagaracaer.com.