Damage to Olin Corporation’s Freeport, TX Facility and Force Majeure Declaration

Last Updated: 7/11/2024

Current Status 

On July 11, 2024, Olin Corporation announced a system-wide Force Majeure declaration for its Chlor-Alkali Products & Vinyls division and its Aromatics shipments due to damage caused by Hurricane Beryl to production and logistics capabilities at the company’s Freeport, TX facility.  

Olin’s facilities in Freeport are undergoing a thorough inspection and assessment to evaluate the full extent of the damage. The duration of this disruption is unknown at this time.  

Relevant Links  

• July 11, 2024 ChemAnalyst report on the Force Majeure declaration 

Potential Impact on Water/Wastewater System Supply Chains 

Available production data indicates that at least 80% of the chlorine produced at Olin’s Freeport facility is for captive production of derivative chemicals such as vinyl chloride monomer, ethylene dichloride, and propylene oxide. An independent source reports that this facility does not produce chlorine that is sold on the merchant market. Thus, EPA’s current assessment is that this incident is unlikely to impact the supply of chlorine and sodium hypochlorite to water/wastewater utilities. However, “system-wide” Force Majeure declarations can result in price volatility. 

EPA will continue to monitor this situation and will update this section if it appears this Force Majeure declaration could impact water/wastewater utilities. If your utility experiences any impacts to availability or pricing of chlorine or sodium hypochlorite, you can report this information to EPA at [email protected].  

How Water and Wastewater Utilities Can Prepare for Potential Supply Chain Disruptions  

• Identify alternate suppliers for chlorine products and chlorine derivative chemicals. Use EPA’s Chemical Suppliers and Manufacturers Locator Tool and/or NSF’s Database of Certified Drinking Water Treatment Chemicals to identify alternate suppliers of chlorine, sodium hypochlorite, and other chlorine derivative chemicals used for water treatment (e.g., calcium hypochlorite, ferric chloride, ferrous chloride, hydrochloric acid) that may be able to supply product in the event of a disruption that impacts your primary supplier.   

• 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 utilities directly to discuss arrangements for receiving assistance in the event of a supply chain disruption.  

• Access EPA resources. Visit Water and Wastewater Sector Supply Chain Resilience to access resources your utility can use to prepare for, or respond to, a potential supply chain disruption.