SARNIA, ON — A plastics plant in Sarnia, southern Ontario, that was recently targeted by orders and regulations from the provincial and federal governments regarding its benzene emissions announced Tuesday that it would permanently close.
Ineos Styrolution assures that its decision to close the Sarnia site by June 2026 was taken independently of the current situation, but rather is due to purely economic considerations.
Ineos says the company has made significant investments in this plant over many years to ensure safe and reliable industrial operations, but it is no longer a profitable operating asset.
The site was temporarily closed in April, shortly after the Ojibwe community of Aamjiwnaang, located across the street, recorded elevated benzene emissions and reported citizens falling ill.
Earlier this month, the province introduced new regulations limiting benzene emissions at Ineos, with the government saying it was concerned about how these emissions were affecting the Aamjiwnaang First Nation.
Ontario has issued four orders to Ineos Styrolution since 2019 and added new conditions to its license that it must meet before restarting operations, but the government recently said benzene levels were still high.
The new provincial regulations came shortly after Environment Canada’s new air quality standards aimed at Ineos Styrolution.
The company claimed it was unfairly and “relentlessly targeted” by governments and maintained it had never detected emissions exceeding permitted limits.
Benzene can cause neurological symptoms such as dizziness and headaches following short-term exposures, and can cause cancers such as leukemia after long-term exposures.
It is a clear, usually colorless liquid that is a natural component of crude oil. Benzene is used to make styrene, a lightweight plastic used in multiple products, from auto parts to food containers to toys.
The Sarnia site employs 80 people and does business with a large number of contractors.
Ineos Styrolution said it would work closely “with all stakeholders to complete an orderly liquidation process and permanent closure of the site in a safe, responsible and compliant manner”.
