Manville proposal in Defiance to get hearing

5/24/2005

DEFIANCE - A draft air pollution control permit for Johns Manville to install a $100 million pipe insulation manufacturing facility will be discussed in a public hearing tonight.

The company wants to replace and upgrade the operations it lost in a fire at its Columbus Avenue facility in 2003.

The new facility is to manufacture Micro-Lok(R) fiber-glass pipe insulation with production beginning in mid-2006.

The planned operations involve three new electric melters, seven new pipe insulation manufacturing lines, off-line manufacturing equipment, and other equipment to support manufacturing at its plant at 925 Carpenter Rd., which is to employ 100 people.

The air pollution control draft permit, which explains how the company would limit emissions of particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds, and carbon monoxide, is being considered by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.

The EPA will hold a public information session and hearing at 7 p.m. in Defiance Regional Medical Center's Auglaize/Tiffin Rooms. State EPA representatives are to present information about the draft permit, answer questions, and take comments from the public.

They will also accept written comments until Friday, directed to Elissa Hartfield, Northwest District Office, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, 347 North Dunbridge Rd., Bowling Green, Ohio 43402.

Copies of the draft permit and application may be reviewed at that office by calling 419-352-8461 or 800-686-6930 to schedule an appointment.

Johns Manville, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is a leading manufacturer and marketer of fiber-glass materials and building products. In business since 1858, the Denver-based company has annual sales in excess of $2 billion, employs about 8,500 people, and operates 43 manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe, and China.

Ohio Gov. Bob Taft spoke at the company's ceremonial groundbreaking for the Defiance plant in January.