The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) recognized Chemtrade Logistics for the operation of new state-of-the-art air pollution control equipment for reducing nitrogen oxide emissions from the facility by over 90 percent, DEC Acting Regional Director Joseph Sluzar announced today. The announcement is part of Earth Week, April 17-23, which Governor Cuomo proclaimed as a weeklong celebration of New York’s commitment and accomplishments to protecting our environment, conserving open space, increasing access to the state’s vast and magnificent natural resources, implementing clean energy initiatives and preparing for the effects of climate change.

“The improvements in local and regional air quality being achieved here today by Chemtrade’s SCR project are a prime example of what can be accomplished when government and industry work cooperatively toward meeting common environmental goals,” said Acting Regional Director Sluzar.

Upon purchasing the Syracuse plant from General Chemical in 2014, Chemtrade met with DEC and committed to a multi-million dollar investment to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from the facility. The innovative air pollution control technology, called selective catalytic reduction (SCR), removes nitrogen oxides using a catalyst to convert NOx to nitrogen gas and water vapor, both of which are naturally occurring in the atmosphere.

“Chemtrade’s commitment to install this innovative air pollution control technology is consistent with its commitment to the Responsible Care ethic, a global voluntary initiative of the chemical industry for the safe and environmentally sound management of chemicals,” said Robert Amend, Chemtrade Plant Manager – Syracuse Works. “In support of this ethic, Chemtrade is committed to continually reducing the environmental impact of its activities and improving the health and safety of its employees and the communities in which it operates.”

The SCR will result in the reduction of more than 500 tons per year of nitrogen oxide emissions to the local environment. This is a major environmental benefit because nitrogen oxide is an acid rain and ozone (smog) precursor in the atmosphere. The project also ensures compliance with the new federal ambient air quality standard for nitrogen dioxide (NO₂). The project achieves both local and regional air quality benefits.

Chemtrade Logistics Syracuse is the only facility in North America that manufactures sodium nitrite. Sodium nitrite has many industrial uses such as a corrosion inhibiter, detinning (recovering tin from tinplate scrap), and dye manufacturing. It is also used as a food preservative. The facility, originally built in the 1920s, currently employs 32 people. Chemtrade is a Responsible Care^® company.