Industrial Synthesis of Chemicals
In the vast and multifaceted world of chemical manufacturing, facilities across the globe produce a wide range of substances, from basic chemicals to specialized products for various industries. This sector is a significant contributor to the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) reporting data, with 16% of all facilities in 2022 falling under its umbrella.
The TRI reporting map, a valuable resource for the public, provides detailed information about specific chemical manufacturing facilities. By clicking on a facility, users can access information about its TRI reporting.
The chemical manufacturing sector is divided into several subsectors, each with its unique waste management challenges. Here's a closer look at four key subsectors and their waste management strategies:
- Basic Chemicals: This subsector primarily focuses on large volumes of fundamental chemical compounds, often involving hazardous substances like carbon disulfide. Waste management in this sector is centred around controlling emissions to air and water due to volatile and toxic chemicals, and managing solid and liquid hazardous wastes through chemical treatment, containment, and secure disposal methods.
- Coatings and Adhesives: These subsectors produce formulations containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs), solvents, and binders. Waste management here emphasizes controlling air emissions, such as VOC capture and incineration, and proper handling of solvent-containing waste.
- Resins and Synthetic Rubber: Waste management in this sector centres around handling organic chemical residues, off-spec materials, and wastewater with complex organic loads. Treatment may involve advanced chemical and biological wastewater treatment to degrade persistent organics, recovery and recycling of solvents, and careful disposal of polymer waste.
- Other Chemical Products: This diverse subsector includes smaller volume specialty chemicals with waste streams that may vary widely in chemical composition and hazard. Waste management is more customized and may combine approaches used in basic chemicals or specialty formulations depending on the chemical nature.
While all subsectors under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 325 comply with TRI reporting and hazardous waste regulations, the specific waste streams and management techniques differ according to the chemistry and production methods unique to each subsector.
In 2022, the chemical manufacturing sector reported more than any other sector in terms of both the number of facilities and the amount of waste managed. With 3,430 facilities reporting, it was the industry sector with the most facilities reporting to TRI for 2022. The sector also managed 54% of all waste, further underscoring its significant role in waste management practices.
For further detailed technical or regulatory information about any specific subsector, please let us know.
[1] Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (n.d.). Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Program. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/tri-program [3] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2020). TRI Data by Facility. Retrieved from https://iaspub.epa.gov/envirofacts/tri/tri_main.tri
- The basic chemicals subsector, which primarily focuses on fundamental chemical compounds like carbon disulfide, employs strategies to control emissions of volatile and toxic chemicals, as well as manage solid and liquid hazardous wastes through chemical treatment, containment, and secure disposal methods.
- In the coatings and adhesives subsector, waste management prioritizes controlling air emissions, such as the capture and incineration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and proper handling of solvent-containing waste.
- The resins and synthetic rubber subsector emphasizes handling organic chemical residues, off-spec materials, and wastewater with complex organic loads, employing advanced chemical and biological wastewater treatment to degrade persistent organics, recovery and recycling of solvents, and careful disposal of polymer waste.
