The New-Indy Catawba mill site originally opened in 1959 and became a New-Indy subsidiary in 2019. It is a world-class paper manufacturing mill located on the Catawba River that makes lightweight linerboard that is important for packaging.

Comprehensive Report Identifies Sources of Area Odor Complaints

Report Conducted by Engineering Firm Trinity Consultants Shows Significant Sources of Odor in the Region; Majority Unrelated To New-Indy Paper Mill

New-Indy Catawba recently announced the release of a new report, the New-Indy Catawba Odor & Complaint Analysis, prepared by an environmental firm, which concludes that due to the many improvements made, New-Indy Catawba is not the source of odor in the Catawba region 79% of the time.

Trinity Consultants collected data and analyzed more than 5,600 air flow paths for complaint- and monitor-based events in the Catawba region between June 1, 2021, and Dec. 31, 2022. The report also identified more than 30 sites in the Catawba region other than New-Indy Catawba are potential sources of odor, including community and industrial wastewater treatment facilities, sanitary wastewater pumping stations, industrial operations, landfills, and farms.

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The New-Indy Catawba Odor & Complaint Analysis identifies more than 30 sites in the Catawba region other than New-Indy as potential sources of odor.

Additional Odor Sources Confirmed by New-Indy

Dynamic Air Monitoring Validates Report

of Additional Odor Sources

New-Indy Catawba engaged Trinity Consultants to collect and analyze data to determine whether there is a link between odor complaints and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) data collected by monitors in the region. Trinity, an international environmental engineering firm, was also asked to determine what were the most likely sources of odor.

Trinity identified more than 30 possible odor sources in the Catawba region. As a result, and in the public interest, New-Indy decided that additional air monitoring for H₂S should be conducted at the other possible odor sources. The additional community air monitoring confirmed Trinity’s report.

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New-Indy’s dynamic monitoring program has detected H₂S in the vicinity of multiple odor sources in the region.

New-Indy Animation

New-Indy Unveils Animation About Its Wastewater Treatment System

During New-Indy’s paper-making process, water is piped from the Catawba River and used in paper production. Afterward, the wastewater and solid byproduct are pumped through the facility’s wastewater treatment system and the treated water is safely returned to the river. The solid byproduct, or sludge, is de-watered and spread over a large area known as Sludge Pond 4 (SP4).

When New-Indy acquired the aging Catawba paper mill in 2019, SP4’s surface was very unstable and needed to be reinforced. Watch this animation to learn about New-Indy’s improvements to SP4 and how the facility’s wastewater treatment system works.

Scan the QR Code to visit New-Indy Catawba’s YouTube channel and learn about New-Indy’s wastewater treatment system.

New-Indy’s improvements to Sludge Pond 4 helped stabilize its wastewater treatment system.

Monitor Report

Hydrogen Sulfide Monitors Continue to Show Low Readings

Hydrogen sulfide readings at New-Indy and in the surrounding community have been zero or negligible for well over two years.

The 24-hour averages for hydrogen sulfide recorded in parts per billion (ppb) in September and for the year to date were minimal – more than 20 times below the 14-day exposure limit (70 ppb) set by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

New-Indy Catawba has been monitoring hydrogen sulfide at the mill and in the community since May 2021. Daily reports are generated by monitors and are posted on www.newindycatawba.com.