DRT America FAQs

About DRT America

The DRT plant transforms a renewable byproduct of the paper industry, derived from traditional wood harvesting, into ingredients used in consumer perfumery products and the food and beverage industry.

2. Where is the plant located? 

The DRT plant is in an industrial park in Effingham County, Georgia near the towns of Rincon and Springfield.

3. Who buys the ingredients that are made at the plant?

Perfume manufacturers, food and beverage companies.

4. I’ve heard rumors DRT uses PFAS in its manufacturing process. Is that true?

We have never used chemicals such as PFAS or mercury in our manufacturing process. 

5. Does DRT generate hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) in its manufacturing process?

DRT’s manufacturing process does not generate HAPs. Emissions from DRT are not hazardous – what we make is used by several consumer industries, including perfumery, food and beverage, adhesives, coatings, and construction industries.

Odor Complaints

1. What should I do if I smell an odor?

2. Are these odors coming from DRT?

Odors are part of every manufacturing process. What we have publicly stated is, if the odors affecting the community are coming from our plant, we will own that issue and aggressively work to correct it. We fully understand the concerns and, as a good neighbor, we are trying to pinpoint the source. We’ve hired an engineering firm to help us evaluate whether the odors affecting the community originate from the plant. The key right now is a methodical evaluation to determine the source.

3. Has a government agency responded to odor complaints from neighbors?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Georgia EPD have conducted investigations to determine the source of odors generating recent complaints and to determine if there are any air quality violations that may be causing people to become ill. The EPD and EPA have not identified any air quality violations by DRT.

4. We’ve seen smoke coming out of the stack when you said the plant is not operating – why?

What you are seeing is steam which comes from our boiler, as well as from our emissions control system, which ensures all vapors are properly treated before they exit the plant. We run our emissions control systems even when the plant is not operating to ensure no odors are emitted. Our entire production process is also enclosed to capture all vapors. 

5. Does DRT release emissions or odors from its operations during scheduled times?

Our plant operations are the same day and night.

6. What is DRT’s position on EPA monitoring in the area?

DRT welcomes the presence of EPA to help get to the bottom of odors in the area. We agreed to allow the EPA to place monitors on our property, in order to fully support this effort.

Plant Regulations

1. Did you apply for permits to dump wastewater or chemicals in the river?

No. All wastewater from our site is trucked to another location for treatment. We do not put production wastewater – or chemicals – into the river or groundwater.

2. What if another leak occurs?

If we know we have a problem onsite, we alert the EPD and local community leaders right away about the incident and an expected time of resolution. All employees are trained in emergency response.

3. What are the emission control systems used by DRT?

DRT uses equipment to reduce VOC and sulfur emissions, aligned with the best practices for emission control. All vapors are properly treated, including from plant processing equipment and storage tank vents, before any release in the atmosphere. The treatment follows DRT’s air permit and all EPD state guidelines. The manufacturing processes at the plant cannot operate unless these emission controls are functioning.

4. Does the plant have to comply with any other permits or regulations from any other state or federal agencies?

The DRT facility complies with multiple permits covering air emissions and water issued by the state EPD. The facility is covered by state and federal regulatory requirements for its safe and environmentally compliant operation.

5. Why did you put up a fence and warning signs recently?

The security measures are to protect the safety of our employees and the plant. This is an operating manufacturing plant and only authorized personnel have access.

Contact Information

1. If a member of the public has a concern, how do we contact you?

Please email us with any questions, or odor complaints at drtspringfield@gmail.com