EPA Reaches $1m Settlement with Denka Over Hazardous Chloroprene Waste Handling

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reached a $996,703 settlement agreement with Denka Performance Elastomer (DPE) over alleged hazardous waste violations at the company’s currently idled chloroprene rubber production facility in LaPlace, Louisiana. Under the agreement, Denka must certify the removal of residual liquid and solid waste from the facility’s brine pit and associated equipment, comply with the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) disposal requirements for the waste generated during the clean-up, and pay the civil penalty. The EPA alleged that Denka improperly operated its facility to allow high chloroprene emissions, treated and stored chloroprene waste without a permit, and failed to dispose of it properly. The settlement resolves the violations and ensures that, should the facility resume operations, it complies with applicable environmental regulations. If the LaPlace facility resumes operations, DPE will be required to maintain an inventory of waste streams, update permit information where necessary, upgrade waste handling equipment, certify tank integrity, control emissions from waste containers, ensure worker training, and transport and dispose of chloroprene-related waste in accordance with hazardous waste regulations. Denka announced the suspension of operations at the Louisiana facility in May 2025, and the EPA said there is currently no chloroprene inventory on site.