INEOS says Ontario plant at centre of government orders to reduce toxic emissions to shut earlier than planned [Video]

A southwestern Ontario chemical plant under government orders to reduce emissions in the wake of health complaints by members of Aamjiwnaang First Nation will be decommissioned earlier than planned.

INEOS Styrolution previously said it would permanently close the plant before June 2026, but hadn’t ruled out restarting operations before that date.

In a news release on Thursday morning, the company said a restart wasn’t possible.

“Ultimately, the conclusion of the assessment was that temporarily restarting the site is not operationally feasible or economically justifiable,” said chief executive officer Steve Harrington. 

Nearby Aamjiwnaang First Nation continues to be under a state of emergency that began in April after air monitors recorded excessive amounts of benzene earlier this year. Earlier this month, there was a partial evacuation of the First Nation after the company worked to remove benzene from a nearby tank. 

Both the provincial and federal governments ordered the company to reduce emissions …