BEEMSTERBOER-MICROPELLET Primary Metal Facility, East Chicago, Indiana

BEEMSTERBOER-MICROPELLET is a primary metal facility located at 3001 Dickey Rd, East Chicago, Indiana, within the Lake County industrial corridor. The plant is operational and classified under NAICS codes 212390 (Other Nonmetallic Mineral Mining and Quarrying) and 331111 (Iron and Steel Mills), indicating a role in processing raw materials into micropellets for steel production. Its location in the Great Lakes region places it within a dense industrial landscape with access to major transportation routes. The facility operates under the US EPA's multi-media regulatory framework, including the Clean Air Act (CAA), Clean Water Act (CWA), and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). As a primary metal operation, it is subject to National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) and effluent guidelines for the iron and steel sector. The plant's scale is typical for a mid-sized metal processing facility in the Midwest, focusing on material transformation rather than primary smelting. Environmental significance stems from its proximity to the Grand Calumet River and Lake Michigan, requiring strict stormwater and wastewater management under the CWA. The facility's operations contribute to the regional steel supply chain, supporting downstream manufacturing. Community proximity to East Chicago necessitates compliance with TRI Section 313 reporting for toxic releases, ensuring public transparency.

East Chicago is part of the Calumet industrial region, historically known for heavy manufacturing and steel production. The area faces cumulative environmental impacts from multiple industrial facilities, including air emissions of particulate matter and metals, and water quality challenges in the Grand Calumet River. The facility's primary metal processing involves material handling and pelletizing, which can generate fugitive dust and require air permits under the CAA. Groundwater and soil contamination from historical industrial activity are concerns in the region, prompting RCRA corrective action oversight.