Ingredion agrees to US$8M settlement over Clean Air Act Violations at corn wet mill

USA- Plant-based ingredient manufacturer Ingredion Incorporated has reached a settlement with the Justice Department, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), and the Indiana Attorney General’s Office, concluding allegations of Clean Air Act (CAA) violations at its corn wet milling facility in Indianapolis. 

The settlement involves an US$8 million agreement, with Ingredion agreeing to pay a civil penalty of US$1,139,600 and implementing measures at a cost of nearly US$7 million to address and offset unpermitted emissions of particulate matter (PM) and to comply with future PM limits.

A filed complaint and accompanying consent decree revealed that Ingredion violated CAA permit limits related to PM emissions, including inhalable PMs with a diameter of 10 microns or less, and volatile organic compounds. 

The complaint also outlined instances where Ingredion failed to operate and monitor certain equipment as required to minimize air emissions.

The settlement not only aims to bring Ingredion back into compliance with the Clean Air Act but also imposes more stringent air pollution standards on the company moving forward. 

Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) emphasized that the agreement will result in cleaner air for Indianapolis residents, particularly those living in the vicinity of the Ingredion facility.

Particulate matter (PM) consists of microscopic solids or liquid droplets that can pose serious health risks, including coughing, aggravated asthma, chronic bronchitis, and premature death in individuals with heart or lung disease.

As part of the settlement, Ingredion is mandated to install and operate new equipment meeting lower PM limits than the plant’s current permitted levels. The company has already completed the installation and testing of the new system. 

Additionally, Ingredion is required to establish a modernized compliance management system to address repeated operational and monitoring failures, with an independent auditor appointed to verify its effectiveness.

To mitigate the impact of past excess PM emissions, Ingredion has undertaken measures such as paving onsite unpaved and partially paved roads and parking areas to reduce PM emissions generated by vehicle traffic. 

The company also plans to replace aging railway locomotives at the facility with two modern locomotives that meet emissions standards.

As part of a state supplemental environmental project, Ingredion will contribute US$560,400 to the State of Indiana to support Brownfields redevelopment in and around Marion County.

The EPA and IDEM are currently investigating the case, with attorneys from ENRD’s Environmental Enforcement Section and the Indiana Attorney General’s Office handling the matter.