- Cleanup Activities for Latex Release Underway
According to the company’s website news release on March 26, 2023, Altuglas LLC is working with local, state and federal agencies to clean up the release of a latex emulsion product from its manufacturing facility in Bristol, PA. The release, which occurred Friday evening, March 24, appears to be the result of an equipment failure. Some of the material overflowed the on-site containment system and entered a storm drain, where it flowed to Otter Creek and then to the Delaware River.
No injuries were reported as a result of the release or the cleanup activities.
Altuglas, a subsidiary of Trinseo PLC, notified authorities of the release and took steps to prevent the further migration of material to the storm drain. Trinseo estimates that 8,100 gallons of solution — approximately 50% water and the remainder latex polymer — was spilled.
The latex emulsion is a white liquid that is used in various consumer goods. Its pigmentation makes the water-soluble material visible in surface water. Altuglas and regulatory agencies are testing water samples in the surrounding area to confirm that the material is not a threat to people or wildlife.
Representatives of local, state, and federal agencies have responded and are onsite. Altuglas personnel are working closely with these agencies and first responders to complete cleanup activities.
“As a Responsible Care® company, the safety of our employees, our communities and our environment are a top priority for us. We are conducting a thorough assessment of all of our systems and processes to identify and address potential vulnerabilities and will take the steps necessary to close any gaps,” Trinseo CEO Frank Bozich said. “One of the principles of Responsible Care is to be accountable and responsive to the public, especially our local communities, who have the right to understand the risks and benefits of what we do. The release of material has been stopped and our efforts are now focused on testing the local waterways. We are grateful for the fast response and professionalism of our local first responders, as well as the efforts of the U.S. EPA, the Pennsylvania DEP and the United States Coast Guard.”
The Bristol facility manufactures acrylic resins for Trinseo’s Engineered Materials business. The plant employs approximately 110 people.
About Trinseo
Trinseo (NYSE: TSE), a specialty material solutions provider, partners with companies to bring ideas to life in an imaginative, smart and sustainably focused manner by combining its premier expertise, forward-looking innovations and best-in-class materials to unlock value for companies and consumers.
From design to manufacturing, Trinseo taps into decades of experience in diverse material solutions to address customers’ unique challenges in a wide range of industries, including building and construction, consumer goods, medical and mobility.
Trinseo’s approximately 3,400 employees bring endless creativity to reimagining the possibilities with clients all over the world from the company’s locations in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. Trinseo reported net sales of approximately $5.0 billion in 2022. Discover more by visiting www.trinseo.com and connecting with Trinseo on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and WeChat.
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Editorial Information:
Paula Cooney, Trinseo
Shannon Callahan, Trinseo
