The company that operated a Georgia chlorine plant with a history of
explosions, chemical fires and toxic clouds that have drifted over neighborhoo
ds outside Atlanta has decided not to rebuild the main manufacturing facility in Conyers.
In a statement, BioLab Inc. said it has been unable to resume manufacturing
operations in Conyers after the most recent catastrophe on Sept. 29.
“After taking steps to meet customer needs through alternative production, an
d in considering our future business needs carefully, we have made the difficult d
ecision not to restart manufacturing at the Conyers plant,” it said.
Though manufacturing won’t restart, the company’s Conyers distribution ce
nter will remain operational and fill customer orders for products from other man
ufacturing facilities, BioLab said.
“We take our role in Conyers very seriously, and as we move forward, the safe
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ty and wellbeing of the Conyers community remain a top priority.”
The September fire sent a huge plume of orange and black smoke into
the Georgia sky, forcing nearby residents to shelter in place, leading to clas
ses canceled for schoolchildren and the closure of a major interstate.
Last month, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board released an update on its investigation. The
company improperly stored hazardous chemicals, federal authorities said. B
ioLab was cited for six violations, including four serious ones, and more than $60,0
00 in proposed penalties, the U.S. Department of Labor said.
BioLab makes chemicals that kill algae and bacteria in water, primarily for swimming pools and hot tubs. The company is a subsidiary of Lawrenceville, Georgia-based KIK Consumer Products.