May 25, 2023

The supply of permanganate products to water and wastewater systems for use in treatment appears to have stabilized, according to an update from the EPA. In January, a fire at a permanganate product manufacturing facility in Illinois – the sole U.S. manufacturer of potassium permanganate – compromised domestic production capacity.

According to EPA’s update, there has been a significant increase in permanganate imports from overseas suppliers to address domestic demand. It not aware of the U.S. manufacturer’s (Carus) timeframe for resuming domestic potassium permanganate production. In the meantime, EPA reports it has been in regular contact with domestic permanganate suppliers and water and wastewater sector stakeholders to search for conditions that could result in acute shortages for systems. However, aside from a limited number of initial reports of shortages, EPA has not received reports of further issues. EPA is continuing to monitor the situation until domestic production is fully restored to ensure no unexpected issues arise. Read the update at EPA.

For more supply chain information on potassium permanganate, access the corresponding water treatment chemical supply chain profile at EPA. In late March, EPA developed supply chain profiles for 46 chemicals to help alleviate potential future chemical disruptions.

WaterISAC encourages utilities to share any impacts they experience. In addition to the state primacy agency (and any other entity required by regulations), utilities can report a supply chain disruption to EPA at [email protected]. WaterISAC also encourages its members to report supply chain disruptions by emailing [email protected] or calling (866)H2O-ISAC.

January 18, 2023

Carus has informed its customers it is declaring force majeure for its potassium permanganate and sodium permanganate products for approximately 90 days following the fire that occurred last week at its plant in Illinois, according to an update posted by EPA. Given this development, WaterISAC encourages utilities that rely on these products to prepare for potential supply chain disruptions. As EPA noted in its initial advisory, the affected facility is the only producer of potassium permanganate and sodium permanganate in the Western Hemisphere and satisfies most domestic demand for these chemicals. EPA further advised water and wastewater systems that receive chemicals produced at the facility may experience supply chain disruptions and the domestic market for these chemicals will likely experience challenges until the lost production capacity is restored.

In addition to taking the steps EPA posted on its webpage, WaterISAC encourages utilities to share any impacts they experience. In addition to the state primacy agency (and any other entity required by regulations), utilities can report a supply chain disruption to EPA at [email protected]. WaterISAC also encourages its members to report supply chain disruptions by emailing [email protected] or calling (866)H2O-ISAC.

January 17, 2023

In the aftermath of the fire at its plant in Illinois, the Carus Chemical Company released a statement noting additional details on potential impacts to its permanganate lines will be forthcoming. In the statement, Carus added it does not anticipate significant impacts to its production or deliveries of phosphate, chemicals that are also manufactured at the facility and that are used in the water and wastewater sector.

In the statement, which WaterISAC obtained via the American Water Works Association (AWWA), Carus reports the fire was extinguished and all employees are safe. As a separate update posted to Carus’s website and media reports reflect (including this one, from WGN9 News), Carus has been focused on issues regarding the health and safety of employees and the nearby community following the fire, particularly concerning chemicals released into the environment. In its update, Carus also demonstrated it intends to resume operations at the plant, although it did not share a restoration timeline. “We are committed to rebuilding the plant and helping neighbors following the fire,” said Andy Johnston, Carus President and CEO. “We look forward to a strong future in LaSalle and Peru [Illinois] for many years to come.”

If and when Carus provides details about potential impacts to its permanganate lines, WaterISAC will share that information with members. Additionally, members are encouraged to share any impacts they experience. In addition to your state primacy agency (and any other entity required by regulations), you can report a supply chain disruption to EPA at [email protected]. WaterISAC also encourages its members to report supply chain disruptions by emailing [email protected] or calling (866)H2O-ISAC.

January 12, 2023

U.S. EPA has posted an update to it Supply Chain Information Sharing Page about potential supply disruptions for potassium permanganate and sodium permanganate given a large fire that broke out yesterday morning at the Carus Chemical Company plant in Illinois. According to EPA, this facility is the largest, and potentially only, domestic producer of potassium permanganate and sodium permanganate, chemicals that are used in the water and wastewater sector.

EPA further notes that while the U.S. does import potassium permanganate, 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 percent of domestic consumption. Additional water treatment chemicals produced at this facility include a variety of phosphate-based corrosion control chemicals (e.g., blended phosphates, dipotassium orthophosphate, sodium polyphosphate, zinc orthophosphate). However, there are other domestic producers of phosphate-based corrosion control chemicals, such as Innophos, ICL Specialty Products, Mosaic Company, and Hawkins Chemical Company. EPA states the percent of the market impacted by the damage to this facility is not available at this time, but it intends to provide updated information when it becomes available. EPA’s page also lists a series of measures utilities can take to prepare for supply chain disruptions. Read more at U.S. EPA.

If your utility experiences a supply chain disruption, in addition to your state primacy agency (and any other entity required by regulations) you can report it to EPA at [email protected]. WaterISAC also encourages its members to report supply chain disruptions by emailing [email protected] or calling (866)H2O-ISAC.