MERRIMACK – After years of being embroiled in controversy over air and water contamination from perfluoroalkyl substances, Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics is closing its doors.
“Today, Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics announced that it will restructure its Composite Solutions business in the United States and will close its facility in Merrimack, New Hampshire. This decision comes after careful consideration and strategic evaluation of what is best for achieving Saint-Gobain’s core business goals and is in line with the company’s mission and plan,” a company spokesperson said in a written statement on Aug. 23. “Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics will continue to work closely with the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services on the ongoing environmental investigation and remediation effort, including providing bottled water and permanent alternate water, as appropriate, within the Consent Decree area.”
The company also outlined the options for the plant’s 164 employees.
“The company values and thanks all of its employees for their hard work and is committed to supporting each employee through this transition,” the spokesperson said. “Alternative roles and relocation assistance will be offered to eligible employees who wish to remain with the company. Support packages will be made available to those who will not continue.”
However, Saint-Gobain has not announced a definitive closing date. That will depend on how long it takes for the company to satisfy its existing contracts.
In addition, the process of switching the effected properties over to municipal water service is not expected to begin until next year.
Less than one week ago, Saint-Gobain received approval from the state Department of Environmental Services’ Air Division for an operating permit that would have allowed the company to expand over the next five years. However, the decision to grant the permit was met with stiff opposition from residents, state and town officials as well as environmental advocacy groups.
The company first ran into trouble in 2016 when an abundance of PFAS chemicals, which it uses to make products oil and water resistant, were found in wells throughout Merrimack.
It is now estimated that more than 1,000 wells have been contaminated with PFAS chemicals from Saint-Gobain.
According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, adverse health effects caused by PFAS chemicals include changes to the immune system, small decreases in infant birth weights, increased risk of high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia in pregnant women as well as an increased risk of cancer.
According to the DES, Saint-Gobain began using PFAS chemicals when it took ownership of the plant in 2002. State environmental officials also believe that the company has been aware of the high PFAS levels since 2004.
Also known as “forever chemicals,” PFAS chemicals are extremely difficult to remove. As a result, the company has faced a myriad of lawsuits over the years.
In 2021, Saint-Gobain presented a $5.3 million plan to “burn off” the PFAS chemicals. However, the proposal was quashed by state regulators who said that burning the chemicals would only release them into the air and put even more residents at risk.
State Minority Leader Matthew Wilhelm was pleased to hear that the plant will be closing.
“The news of Saint-Gobain’s closure has been long-awaited by New Hampshire residents who have fought to bring light to the plant’s devastating contamination of our state’s air and drinking water,” he said. “Picking up the pieces of Saint Gobain’s destruction will remain long after the corporation’s overdue exit.”
State Rep. Nancy Murphy agreed that the damage caused by Saint-Gobain will linger for years to come.
“As a result of Saint-Gobain’s tenancy here, residents and employees in Merrimack have paid and will continue to pay a huge price, even after it finally closes its doors,” she said. “Beyond the costs borne by private well owners outside a far too small ‘consent decree area,’ we have paid to filter the drinking water in our homes; we have paid to filter the public wells in our town; we have paid to filter the drinking water in our schools and we are paying for the contamination of our air, water and soil with our compromised health.”
State Rep. Rosemarie Rung called on Gov. Chris Sununu to require Saint-Gobain to establish a fund to “clean up the mess they are leaving.”
“This announcement does not let them off the hook,” she said. “There remains PFAS in the soil that will continue to contaminate our water for decades.”
These articles are being shared by partners in The Granite State News Collaborative. For more information visit collaborativenh.org.
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