EPA files preliminary injunction against Denka Performance Elastomer

Washington – The US Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has filed a request for a preliminary injunction to force Denka Performance Elastomer to ‘immediately reduce’ its chloroprene emissions.

The agency is seeking a court order requiring the addition of 'significant pollution controls' at Denka’s chloroprene rubber manufacturing plant in St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana.

The motion follows a 28 Feb lawsuit by EPA and US Justice department, which alleged “an imminent and substantial endangerment to the communities surrounding the facility as a result of Denka’s manufacturing operations.”

The lawsuit is currently pending in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.

The EPA "will use all legal remedies available to reduce harmful air pollution in this community,” said EPA administrator Michael Regan.

Denka’s facility in Louisiana manufactures Neoprene-branded chloroprene rubber, used in the production of a range of products, including automotive parts.

Chloroprene is a liquid feedstock used to produce the rubber, and is claimed to be emitted into the air from various areas of the Louisiana facility.

In January, Denka filed a lawsuit against the EPA in the US District Court for the District of Louisiana, seeking a review of the US agency’s toxicity assessments.