Stellantis installs long-awaited equipment to fix Detroit Jeep plant odor issue

Stellantis has installed a key piece of equipment it said will eliminate odors at its Jeep plant in Detroit that nearby residents have called a hindrance to their quality of life for more than two years.

The automaker completed the installation of a second regenerative thermal oxidizer that is in operation at the Mack Assembly Plant, the company said last week. The plant was required to begin operating the equipment, which helps destroy odors and volatile organic compounds, by Friday, June 30, as part of a consent order reached with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy.

"The exhaust from two existing stacks will be routed to this new system to destroy odor contributing compounds," Linda Trbizan, head of North America assembly operations, said in a news release. "We know this has been a lengthy process and we want to thank you for your patience as we worked to identify and resolve this issue."

Installation of the thermal oxidizer comes after Stellantis racked up 11 violation notices and more than $500,000 in fines for air pollution at factories in Detroit and the suburb of Warren over the past two years. The automaker had been seeking higher emissions caps at both plants.

Air pollution issues began at the plant shortly after it went into production in March 2021. Its most recent violation was issued last month for "persistent and objectionable paint/solvent odors of moderate to strong intensity" at the Mack plant.