From InDepthNH.org
By Ani Freedman
MERRIMACK – Saint-Gobain, a French manufacturing company that has been the epicenter of PFAS pollution in southern New Hampshire since 2016, has just announced it will be closing its Merrimack facility.
The closure comes just as Saint-Gobain was approved for a controversial air permit last week by the NHDES. Saint-Gobain has been at the center of public scrutiny after PFAS chemicals were discovered in Merrimack water supplies in 2016. Since 2018, the company has been involved in remediation efforts to supply bottled water and implement filtration systems after coming to an agreement with the DES.
“Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics will continue to work closely with the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services on the ongoing environmental investigation and remediation effort, including providing bottled water and permanent alternate water, as appropriate, within the Consent Decree area,” Saint-Gobain said in a news release.
“The company values and thanks all of its employees for their hard work and is committed to supporting each employee through this transition. Alternative roles and relocation assistance will be offered to eligible employees who wish to remain with the company. Support packages will be made available to those who will not continue,” the company said.
The decision comes “after careful consideration and strategic evaluation of what is best for achieving Saint-Gobain’s core business goals and is in line with the company’s mission and plan,” the company said. The company has no plans to move operations from Merrimack to another location.
The company is ceasing these activities in North America, it is not a transfer of operations, according to a spokesman.
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