For Immediate Release

AUGUSTA, MAINE, March 20, 2025 — The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has issued a Notice of Violation (NOV) to Mallinckrodt US LLC/Medtronic related to the lack of meaningful progress remediating the former chloralkali manufacturing facility located along the Penobscot River in Orrington, Maine. Historic operations at that site resulted in a significant amount of mercury contamination to the surrounding soils, groundwaters, and neighboring river. 

The DEP has pursued the site’s cleanup since 2008 and, under DEP oversite, progress has been achieved remediating the area.  However, large areas of soil contaminated by mercury above the site-specific standard established by order of the Board of Environmental Protection for the protection of public health, safety, and the environment remain on the site unremediated. 

Mallinckrodt has ceased to make meaningful progress towards remediating the remaining soil for over two years, compelling the DEP to undertake this enforcement action.  The DEP expects that Mallinckrodt will immediately resume efforts to achieve site remediation consistent with Maine law and this Department’s orders.

The Notice of Violation is available on the DEP website at https://www.maine.gov/dep/spills/holtrachem/.