On March 30, 2004, U.S. EPA conducted inspection of Kikkoman�s soy sauce production facility in Walworth, Wisconsin. During that inspection, U.S. EPA discovered an unpermitted emission unit, the spray dryer. Kikkoman had constructed and began operating the spray dryer in late 2000.
On May 10, 2004, Kikkoman completed U.S. EPA required air emissions testing for the volatile organic compounds (VOC) being emitted from the spray dryer. Those test confirmed that the VOC emissions from the spray dryer exceed thresholds in the Wisconsin SIP that require the unit to obtain construction and operation permits. The VOC emissions also exceed thresholds that require the installation and operation of control equipment to reduce VOC emissions by at least 85%.
On September 10, 2004, Kikkoman submitted the required permit applications for the spray dryer to Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR).
On June 14, 2005, WDNR issued an operation permit for Kikkoman�s spray dryer.
This Administrative Consent Order requires that Kikkoman install and operate a thermal oxidizer by December 15, 2005. Kikkoman will conduct emissions testing on the spray dryer and thermal oxidizer by April 15, 2006. The thermal oxidizer is required to achieve a VOC destruction efficiency of at least 95%.
Additionally, a Consent Agreement and Final Order has been drafted to resolve past permitting violations and collect a penalty for Wisconsin SIP violation.