History — Hercules in Brunswick

Making Products that people use

*Hercules technician uses a reactor flask in the laboratory, circa 1960.*

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*Hercules Brunswick facility, circa 1960.*

As a major economic force, Hercules grew along with Brunswick. The Brunswick facility, located on Glynn Avenue near the causeway bridge, had a long history of manufacturing operations that spanned more than a century. With the exception of the Great Depression years, it operated since 1911, using pine tree stumps to make rosin and other derivative products.

Since the advent of state and federal environmental regulations, much has been accomplished to address the environmental legacy of these historical operations.

100+ Years of History

Generations of Brunswick people worked at the Brunswick facility when it was operated by Hercules. Today, Pinova operates the facility. Hercules is busy conducting environmental remediation and restoration at three sites in Brunswick.

   Brunswick facility 

 009 Landfill 

 Terry Creek

1911	The Brunswick naval stores plant opened, using an innovative new process to extract rosin from pine tree stumps.
1920	Hercules began operating at the Brunswick facility, producing rosin and turpentine from pine stumps.
1914 - 1944	Hercules corporation entered the war efforts, producing smokeless powder during World War I and munitions during World War II at some of its other plants. In 1944, the Brunswick facility was awarded the Army-Navy E flag for its contributions to the Allies' victory.
1946	Hercules began to produce a new insecticide called "toxaphene" to combat boll weevils in the South. Some wastewater from the toxaphene production plant at the facility was conveyed through a ditch to Dupree Creek.
1949	Hercules' chemists continued to develop and refine new products. The workforce grew to nearly 800 people.
1950	Railroad capacity at the Brunswick facility expanded. Agricultural demand for toxaphene increased.
1951	The workforce at the Brunswick facility grew to 900 people.
1957	A new unit began producing rosin used to make synthetic rubber.
1970s - 1980s	The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dredged Dupree and Terry Creeks, placing the dredged spoils in three areas along the creeks.
1980	Production of toxaphene ended.
1980s	Hercules began to investigate and remediate the site. Wastewater impoundments located in the northern portion of the facility were closed and the waste was disposed in a secure landfill. A groundwater monitoring well network was installed.
1984	The 009 Landfill was placed in the federal Superfund program.
1990s	Hercules continued investigation and remediation. It removed and remediated an equalization basin and above-ground storage tanks in the northern portion of the facility and conducted biological treatment in the area to prevent contaminants from being carried in groundwater.
1993	EPA approved Hercules' remediation plan for the 009 Landfill.
1995 - 2009	Hercules installed and operated a groundwater pump and treat system to extract and treat groundwater from the northern portion of the Brunswick facility.
Mid-late 1990s	Hercules removed and disposed of soils found under the former toxaphene production plant, down to the groundwater table.
1997	Hercules began extensive sampling of soil and sediment at the Terry Creek site under EPA oversight.
1999	Hercules completed construction of the 009 Landfill cap and installed a comprehensive monitoring system.
1999 - 2000	Hercules removed approximately 30,000 tons of contaminated sediments from the outfall ditch and adjacent creeks and entered into an agreement with EPA to evaluate risks and additional remediation.
2000s	Hercules continued its investigation to identify areas to be remediated. Hundreds of acres, above and below ground, were sampled and studied extensively.
2001	The state conducted fish tissue sampling showing improvement in fish tissue quality after Hercules’ remediation of the outfall ditch and creeks.
2005	Hercules resumed the state's fish tissue sampling, confirming continued improvements in fish tissue quality.
2007	The state relaxed fish consumption advisories after remediation activities in the outfall ditch and the adjacent creeks resulted in improvements.
2008 - 2010	Hercules remediated the former toxaphene production plant and the N-Street ditch: demolishing the plant, excavating 47,000 tons of soil from the plant and the ditch, backfilling the plant area, and relining the ditch.
2010	Pinova purchased the operational portions of the Brunswick facility.
2010s	Hercules further investigated groundwater conditions, assessed potential risks, and planned additional remediation work.
2012	Hercules investigated the outfall ditch.
2014	The Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) certified a wildflower field that was planted on a portion of the Brunswick facility.
2015	WHC certified a portion of the 009 Landfill for its enhanced habitat for birds and reptiles.
2015	EPA issued a proposed plan to remediate the outfall ditch at the Terry Creek site following more than seven years of investigation, planning and public meetings.
2015	Hercules installed and later upgraded a shallow groundwater remediation system on-site.
2017	EPA selected the final interim remedy for the outfall ditch. EPD concurred with the remedy selection.
2018	The state relaxed fish consumption advisories again based on improvement in fish tissue sampling - a result of Hercules’ remediation.
2018	Hercules committed through a consent decree to implement EPA's selected interim remedy and to reimburse EPA for all of its past and future costs.
2019	Hercules remediated areas of toxaphene in soil and around the former toxaphene tank farm storage area.
November 2019	A federal court in Georgia approved the consent decree for the interim remedy and found the agreement to be fair, reasonable, and in the public interest.
2020	Hercules expanded forest habitat certified by WHC and continues to monitor nesting birds, pollinators, and forest habitat while taking care of the wildflower field.
2020	Hercules added more grassland habitat to WHC program while monitoring birds, reptiles, amphibians, and pollinators.
November 2020	EPD renewed the Brunswick facility's hazardous waste permit, for 10 years. The permit recognizes that hazardous wastes are no longer being stored at the Brunswick facility.
2021	Hercules completed design of the interim remedy chosen by EPA for the outfall ditch. The remedy will involve capping the existing ditch (where some residual contamination remains) and rerouting the ditch to the south.
2021	Hercules completed remediation of contaminated soils at key locations around the Brunswick facility. Vapor intrusion mitigation systems were installed at various buildings on-site. EPD approved Hercules’ plan for source area groundwater treatment; Hercules proposed groundwater treatment plans to EPD for the eastern edges of the facility.
2022	Hercules begins construction of the rerouted outfall ditch in late 2022.
2022	Hercules treats source area groundwater. Groundwater treatment wells were installed and groundwater treatment begins at the southeast edge of the facility.
2022	Hercules installed additional groundwater treatment wells.
2023	EPA’s and Hercules’ monitoring of the remedy that has been in place since the 1990s will continue to ensure its continued effectiveness.
Dec-2022	EPD issues amended hazardous waste permit to incorporate planned remedial actions outlined in the August 2022 Corrective Action Plan.
2023	Hercules installs and activates groundwater treatment wells at the northeast edge of the facility.
April 2023	A fire at the terpene resins plant causes temporary shutdown of the Brunswick facility.
June 2023	Pinova company representatives announce that the manufacturing facility will permanently close. Remediation work by Hercules and Pinova will continue.