Grand Rapids Chemical Company Faces Fine Over Permit Problems

A Grand Rapids-based chemical company is facing a state fine for its record keeping after it installed new equipment without obtaining the correct permits.

The state's Department of Environmental Quality is planning to fine Haviland Enterprises $51,800.

Haviland's facilities are located on Grand Rapids' West Side, at 421 and 521 Ann St., and 2168 Avastar Parkway in Walker.

The chemical plants are near residential neighborhoods and handle hazardous materials.

At its Grand Rapids facilities, Haviland receives large quantities of acids, caustics and phosphates from rail cars and tanker trucks and repackages them into smaller containers like totes and drums.

Dry chemicals are also mixed with water or acid to create cleaning products. Due to the activity inside the buildings with hazardous chemicals, air leaving the building has to be cleaned with special filters called scrubbers.

Emissions from the facilities are strictly regulated by state and federal laws.

The DEQ sent Haviland a violation notice in September 2016 for failing to obtain installation permits for new mixing tanks in several parts of the north building.

Haviland officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.