Velsicol Chemical Corporation
Encyclopedia
Genovique Specialties Corporation (former name: Velsicol Chemical Corporation) was a Rosemont, Illinois
based chemical company founded in 1931 that specializes in plasticizer
s.
At the time the landmark anti-pesticide book Silent Spring
was published (1962), Velsicol was the sole manufacturer of chlordane
and heptachlor
, two since-banned pesticides that feature prominently in the book. Velsicol threatened legal action against Silent Springs publisher, though ultimately no such action was taken.
For years, Velsicol produced polybrominated biphenyls, DDT
, cattle feed additives, and various other chemicals at its plant in St. Louis, Michigan
. In 1973, a packaging error at the plant resulted in several thousand pounds of PBBs contaminating cattle feed which was later fed to animals across Michigan. When the error was finally recognized, all the cattle in the state were culled. The site of the St. Louis plant is now one of the costliest superfund
sites in the U.S.
In 2008, after acquisition by the private equity firm Arsenal Capital, Velsicol was re-branded Genovique Specialties Corporation. In 2010, the company was acquired by Eastman Chemical Company
.
Rosemont, Illinois
Rosemont is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States located immediately northwest of Chicago. The village was incorporated in 1956, though it had been settled long before that...
based chemical company founded in 1931 that specializes in plasticizer
Plasticizer
Plasticizers or dispersants are additives that increase the plasticity or fluidity of the material to which they are added; these include plastics, cement, concrete, wallboard, and clay. Although the same compounds are often used for both plastics and concretes the desired effects and results are...
s.
At the time the landmark anti-pesticide book Silent Spring
Silent Spring
Silent Spring is a book written by Rachel Carson and published by Houghton Mifflin on 27 September 1962. The book is widely credited with helping launch the environmental movement....
was published (1962), Velsicol was the sole manufacturer of chlordane
Chlordane
Chlordane, or chlordan, is an organochlorine compound that was used as a pesticide. This white solid was sold in the U.S. until 1983 as an insecticide for crops like corn and citrus and on lawns and domestic gardens.-Production and uses:...
and heptachlor
Heptachlor
Heptachlor is an organochlorine compound that was used as an insecticide. Usually sold as a white or tan powder, heptachlor is one of the cyclodiene insecticides. In 1962, Rachel Carson's Silent Spring questioned the safety of heptachlor and other chlorinated insecticides. Due to its highly...
, two since-banned pesticides that feature prominently in the book. Velsicol threatened legal action against Silent Springs publisher, though ultimately no such action was taken.
For years, Velsicol produced polybrominated biphenyls, DDT
DDT
DDT is one of the most well-known synthetic insecticides. It is a chemical with a long, unique, and controversial history....
, cattle feed additives, and various other chemicals at its plant in St. Louis, Michigan
St. Louis, Michigan
St. Louis is a city in Gratiot County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 4,494. The 2010 census estimate places the population at 7,482.-Geography:...
. In 1973, a packaging error at the plant resulted in several thousand pounds of PBBs contaminating cattle feed which was later fed to animals across Michigan. When the error was finally recognized, all the cattle in the state were culled. The site of the St. Louis plant is now one of the costliest superfund
Superfund
Superfund is the common name for the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 , a United States federal law designed to clean up sites contaminated with hazardous substances...
sites in the U.S.
In 2008, after acquisition by the private equity firm Arsenal Capital, Velsicol was re-branded Genovique Specialties Corporation. In 2010, the company was acquired by Eastman Chemical Company
Eastman Chemical Company
Eastman Chemical Company is a United States based chemical company, engaged in the manufacture and sale of chemicals, fibers, and plastics. Eastman has 11 manufacturing sites in seven countries, supplying its products throughout the world...
.