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Wyandotte - North Works
BASF moves forward with long-term environmental remedies at its Wyandotte North Works Site in a way that is protective of people and the environment.
BASF is committed to implementing solutions that benefit the Detroit River and the Down River community. Under the oversight of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), the remedial work at the Site is designed to ensure that contaminated groundwater from the historical activities at the North Works Site (Site) is not impacting the Detroit River. BASF is on schedule to remediate the Site in a way that is protective of people and the environment.
This website is intended to provide you with updates and address frequently asked questions. We invite you to check back here regularly for the latest information.
Latest Update
BASF continues to work closely with EPA and EGLE to minimize the timeline of the various projects designed to prevent groundwater from impacting the Detroit River, including by improving efficiencies in implementation where feasible and requesting expedited agency review. In the meantime, BASF has constructed and is operating a voluntary measure to address potential migration of groundwater to the Detroit River. The measure includes pumping groundwater from two on-site wells located near the shoreline and treating for certain PFAS compounds before discharge to Downriver Utility Wastewater Authority (DUWA). The system was installed prior to EOY 2022, and operations commenced in July 2023, when the final permit from DUWA was granted.
AFFF-fire-fighting foams containing certain PFAS compounds were employed at the Wyandotte site during joint emergency response training events with the Wyandotte Fire Department and Downriver HAZMAT teams from the 1980s through early 2000s. More information can be found here.
In addition, EPA and BASF continue to finalize a comprehensive longer-term groundwater measure consisting of a physical barrier along the north, east, and south property lines. Once the conceptual design has been approved, the project will move into the final design phases. In accordance with the regulatory process, this project requires 30%, 60%, 90% and final design submittals. In May 2023, the EPA approved the 30% design of the measure. In March 2024, BASF submitted the initial 60% design progression draft to the EPA and is awaiting comment.
BASF North Works Site Information
The BASF North Works site in Wyandotte, Michigan hosts multiple BASF groups including business teams, manufacturing, and R&D, including global advanced materials. With more than 1,000 employees, it has five manufacturing plants that produce urethanes, specialty plastics products, polyols, custom catalysts, resins and dispersions. The products and services are used in a variety of markets including transportation, coatings, furniture and consumer goods.
Economic Impact
- Annual payroll in excess of $115M
- $2M in property tax*
- Capital investment in excess of $200M in last five years*
- Over $30M in contractor and service spending*
- Over 100 contractors and service providers*
*Year-end 2023 data
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
BASF took ownership of the North Works Site in 1969 after acquiring Wyandotte Chemicals. The Site has been used for a variety of industrial operations since the 1800s and borders the Detroit River. BASF entered into an Administrative Order on Consent under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act with the USEPA in 1994, which requires certain corrective actions to be completed at the Site.
Great Lakes National Program Office (GLNPO)
Since at least 2006, EPA and EGLE have been investigating sediments in the Upper Trenton Channel, a 3.25-mile channel of the Detroit River that flows from north to south between Grosse Ile and the Michigan mainland (the "Project Area"). As a result, BASF, together with project partners , are working to remediate sediment in the Upper Trenton Channel. BASF co-founded the project, now led by EPA's Great Lakes National Program Office (GLNPO) under which GLNPO will fund a portion of the costs for engineering design and then remediation of the Project Area. The project partners are working to expand the positive impact by recruiting additional partners and collaboratively reviewing engineering aspects to develop the most effective and sustainable solutions. More information can be found here.