Lake Area Industry Alliance

Number of employees: 1500+
Average number of full-time contractor employees on-site: Approximately 250
Annual direct economic impact in Southwest Louisiana: $250+ million
Product(s) or Service(s): chlorine, caustic soda, hydrogen, silicas, vinyl chloride, ethylene dichloride, ethyl chloride, perchloroethylene, trichloroethylene, vinylidene dichloride

Brief History of Facility

The Lake Charles Complex dates its beginnings from a magnesium plant built in the early 1940s as part of the Defense Plant Corporation. The site was purchased from the government and converted into a chlor-alkali plant which went into operation in 1947 with a production capacity of 350 tons per day (TPD) of chlorine and the equivalent caustic soda. Expansions have increased this production to over 3,500 TPD chlorine and 3,800 TPD caustic soda. Production of chlorinated solvents began in the 1960s. In 1968 a plant for the production of silicas was put into operation and has been expanded to a present capacity of over 275 TPD.

Regulatory Agencies

EPA - Region 6 - Dallas, Texas
LA DEQ
US Coast Guard
Federal Railway Administration (FRA)
US Occupational Safety & Health Administartion (OSHA)
LA State Police

Emergency Response Equipment & Personnel

PPG maintains a fully-trained staff of medical, safety, fire and emergency response personnel at the plant 24 hours a day. The plant operates its own fire department with two pumper trucks, foam laying equipment, and fixed-place fire fighting equipment around all potential hazards in the process and storage areas.

Public Awareness Notification in the Event of an Incident

PPG participates in the CAER alert system for initial notification. The emergency communicator and plant spokesman will issue updates as available to news media at site and will call in reports to other radio and TV station news departments.

Major Waste Minimization Efforts

PPG operates a waste recycling facility on-site that reduces chlorinated hydrocarbon waste 70% by recycling these materials into new chemicals for dry-cleaning and production of ozone-friendly refrigerants.

Community Outreach Activities

Plant tours are available by appointment for groups and classes. Also, speakers are available for groups or organizations off site.
PPG has an active Community Advisory Panel (CAP) to provide a formal mechanism for feedback from the community.
PPG publishes an Annual Report covering environmental, health, and safety activities. This report is distributed to the public.
PPG is a partner in education with four area schools:
- LaGrange High School
- Sam Houston High School
- Vinton High School
- Our Lady Queen of Heaven School
PPG sponsors Nature Lab (classroom in the woods) for area teachers and students, and the Teacher's Summer Institute.
PPG associates and their families, through PPG Friends, volunteer many hours every year to worthwhile community projects such as:
- Children's Miracle Network Cute Kids Contest
- Big Brothers/Big Sisters Bowl for Kids Sake
- United Way
- Boys Village
- and many other community projects
Actively participate in:
- Lake Area Industry Alliance (LAIA)
- Chamber/Southwest Louisiana/West Calcasieu Chamber
- LA Chemical Association/LA Association of Business and Industry
- Community Awareness Emergency Response (CAER)
- International Mutual Aid of Southwest LA
- IH-10 Community Advisory Panel