Ahlstrom Filtration LLC - Pulp and Paper Plant in Madisonville, Kentucky

Ahlstrom Filtration LLC is a pulp and paper manufacturing facility located at 215 Nebo Rd, Madisonville, Kentucky, in Hopkins County. The plant is operational and specializes in producing filtration media and specialty papers, serving industrial and commercial markets. As part of the broader pulp and paper sector, the facility operates under NAICS codes 313230 (nonwoven fabric mills), 322120 (paper mills), and 322121 (paperboard mills). The facility operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), including the Clean Air Act (CAA), Clean Water Act (CWA), Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), and Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Section 313 reporting. Pulp and paper mills in the United States are subject to specific effluent guidelines and air emission standards, particularly for hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) under the Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) standards. The plant's scale is typical for a mid-sized specialty paper producer in the region. The environmental significance of this facility lies in its role within the pulp and paper sector, which is known for high water usage and potential pollutant releases including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter, and chlorinated compounds. The plant's proximity to the community of Madisonville necessitates compliance with local air and water quality standards. Its operational status indicates ongoing contributions to the local economy and industrial base in western Kentucky.

The facility is situated in Madisonville, Kentucky, within the Green River watershed. The region has a mixed industrial and agricultural landscape, with the pulp and paper sector being a notable contributor to local air and water emissions. The plant's operations involve chemical pulping or papermaking processes that can generate air pollutants such as sulfur compounds and particulate matter, as well as wastewater containing organic solids and chlorinated compounds. Community proximity requires adherence to EPA's risk management programs and local zoning regulations.