The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has added more than 6,300 chemicals and 3,800 chemical facilities regulated under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to a public database called Envirofacts. The Envirofacts database is the EPA’s single point of Web access for information about environmental activities that may affect air, water and land in the U.S. and provides tools for analyzing the data. It includes facility name and address information, aerial image of the facility and surround area, map location of the facility, and links to other EPA information on the facility, including EPA inspection and compliance reports.

Rules Finalized

The Obama administration has finalized rules to curb greenhouse gas emissions from power plants, cement manufacturers, and other industrial facilities. This move will force companies to invest in new pollution-control equipment to fight climate change. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, beginning in July 2011, any newly planned large facilities (those releasing 100,000 or more tons of carbon dioxide/year) will have to hold permits to emit greenhouse gases. In addition, large facilities that undergo modifications that would increase emissions by 75,000 tons or more will be subject to permitting requirements earlier, beginning in January 2011.

Copolyester Plant

Eastman Chemical Co. has opened a new plant exclusively dedicated to the production of Eastman Tritan copolyester at its headquarters in Kingsport, Tennessee. The plant expands production capcity of Tritan in alignment with increasing market demand for the material. Tritan is a new-generation copolyester that balances the properties of clarity, toughness, and heat and chemical resistance. It is manufactured without Bisphenol A (BPA).

Acquisition

Sherwin-Williams Co. will buy Becker Acroma Industrial Wood Coatings for an undisclosed sum. This move is part of the company’s goal of expanding its global footprint. Sweden-based Becker Acroma has annual sales of about $300 million. The deal is subject to regulatory approvals, but is scheduled to close in the third quarter.

Plant Closures