Union Carbide - Seadrift Plant

Year Submitted: 2003

Process: Polyethylene Manufacturing

Industry: Chemical Manufacturing

Wastes Reduced: Process Chemicals

Substance: Vinyl Acetate

Location: Port Lavaca TX

No. of employees: 1150

Contact: Rick Curtis

Phone: (512) 553-2435

Description:

Union Carbide's High Pressure Polyethylene Unit No. 2 was upgraded with a Vinyl Acetate Recovery Column. The upgrade source reduced waste by providing a closed loop system to retain vinyl acetate and other light organics.

Environmental Benefits:

The project reduced the plant's largest waste stream, characteristic for ignitability (D001), by over 50% - or approximately 2.5 million pounds per year. It also reduced TRI emissions of vinyl acetate and other light organics by over 45% - or 21,000 pounds per year since 1987.

Details of Reductions

Additional Information :

The Vinyl Acetate Recovery Column had a payback of 8 months.

Source: TCEQ