6 Jul 2026
Chloroprene rubber producer to implement waste management controls if Louisiana plant resumes operations
Washington, DC – The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reached a 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 a civil penalty of $996,703, said EPA 2 July.
According to EPA, the agreement "comprehensively resolves" Denka's failure to properly manage and handle chloroprene waste under the RCRA.
The agency 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."
EPA said the settlement resolves the violations and ensures that, should the facility resume operations, it complies with applicable environmental regulations.
The latest settlement follows a December 2022 agreement under which Denka committed to bring its treatment, storage and disposal of chloroprene-containing "poly kettle strainer waste" into compliance with RCRA.
According to the EPA, the company subsequently modified its waste management practices and stopped placing the waste into an open-air brine pit, reducing chloroprene emissions by around one tonne per year.
The agency also noted that it had filed a lawsuit against Denka under the Clean Air Act's emergency powers provision in February 2023.
That case was later dismissed by the Trump administration, which said it relied on "an expansive and improper legal theory."
Under the new agreement, if the LaPlace facility resumes operations, DPE will be required to maintain an inventory of waste streams, update permit information where necessary.
DPE will also be required to 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. EPA said there is currently no chloroprene inventory on site.
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