Chemical Plant Fire and Potential Impact on Supply Chain Disruptions

Last Updated: 1/25/2023

Current Status

A large fire broke out at a Carus Chemical Company plant in LaSalle, IL during the morning of Wednesday, January 11. This facility produces the following chemicals that are used for water and wastewater treatment: phosphate-based corrosion control chemicals (e.g., blended phosphates, dipotassium orthophosphate, sodium polyphosphate, zinc orthophosphate), potassium permanganate, and sodium permanganate.

U.S. EPA will continue to monitor this situation. This page will be updated as the situation develops.

1/17 Update: Carus has released a statement noting that additional details on potential impacts to its permanganate lines will be forthcoming and that it does not anticipate significant impacts to its production or deliveries of phosphate chemicals.

1/18 Update: Carus has informed its customers that it is declaring force majeure for its potassium permanganate and sodium permanganate products for approximately 90 days.

News Reports

• https://www.carusllc.com/carus-llc-fire-news-updates/ (Updates from Carus)
• Site Profile - La Salle Chemical Plant Fire - EPA OSC Response (Updates from U.S. EPA’s Region 5 On-Scene Coordinator on EPA’s activities at the site)
• Fire rages at Illinois chemical plant, residents ordered to shelter | Reuters
• Carus chemical explosion: La Salle, Illinois residents voice concerns after massive fire spews apparent chemicals in air - ABC7 Chicago

Potential Impact on Water/Wastewater System Supply Chains (Updated on 1/25/23)

Carus operates and maintains multiple phosphate manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and has a dedicated logistics group with a fleet of trucks that exclusively serve Carus customers. Carus does not anticipate a significant impact to phosphate production or customer deliveries. Aside from the Carus, there are other domestic producers of phosphate-based corrosion control chemicals, such as Innophos, ICL Specialty Products, and Hawkins Chemical Company.

Due to the fire, potassium permanganate and sodium permanganate production at the LaSalle facility have been severely impacted. Carus has been in direct communication with customers to provide more information as it becomes available. The Carus facility in LaSalle is the only producer of potassium permanganate and sodium permanganate in the Western Hemisphere. While the U.S. does import potassium permanganate from India and China (primarily from India), most domestic demand is met by production from this facility. The primary use of potassium and sodium permanganate in the U.S. is for water treatment, accounting for more than 50% of domestic consumption.

Water and wastewater systems that receive potassium permanganate or sodium permanganate produced at the Carus facility in LaSalle may experience supply chain disruptions, and the domestic market for these chemicals will likely experience challenges until the lost production capacity is restored.

How to Prepare for Potential Supply Chain Disruptions (Updated on 1/25/23)

• Contact your primary supplier(s) for potassium permanganate and/or sodium permanganate. Determine  Determine whether the company’s operations are impacted by the Carus plant fire. If their operations are impacted, emphasize the importance of consistent deliveries of chemicals for your system to maintain operations.
• Contact alternate suppliers for potassium permanganate and/or sodium permanganate. If your primary supplier’s operations are impacted by the Carus plant fire, use the Chemical Suppliers and Manufacturers Locator Tool or the Search for NSF Certified Drinking Water Treatment Chemicals to identify alternate suppliers in your region. Contact the companies, emphasize the importance of consistent deliveries of critical treatment chemicals for your system to maintain operations, and discuss the possibility of the companies providing support if your system’s primary supplier is unable to satisfy your system’s needs.  
• Contact your state primacy agency to discuss potential use of alternate chemicals. If your system relies on a steady supply of permanganate to meet a critical water quality objective, talk with your state primacy agency about the possibility of temporarily using a different oxidant in the event that permanganate is unavailable for your system.
• Identify mutual aid and assistance opportunities. Join your Water and Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN) and contact other mutual aid networks and nearby water/wastewater systems directly to discuss arrangements for receiving assistance in the event of a supply chain disruption.  
• Access EPA resources. Visit https://www.epa.gov/waterutilityresponse/water-and-wastewater-sector-supply-chain-resilience to access resources your system can use to prepare for, or respond to, a potential supply chain disruption.