Volkswagen Group of America Chattanooga Operations Llc. – Emissions Trend

Chattanooga, TN · 2019–2023 · Parent: Volkswagen Group of America

This page assembles 5 consecutive years of EPA Toxics Release Inventory Form R filings for Volkswagen Group of America Chattanooga Operations Llc., spanning 2019–2023. Each annual total aggregates on-site air emissions, surface-water discharges, land disposal, and off-site transfers reported by the facility under EPCRA Section 313, which requires disclosure whenever a listed chemical is manufactured, processed, or otherwise used above threshold quantities.

Reported releases opened at 123.4K in 2019 and closed at 140.1K in 2023 – a increase of 13.5% over the window. The chart below stacks the four TRI release media (air, water, land, off-site) and overlays the yearly total. The top contributor by cumulative mass is Certain glycol ethers at 344.8K, followed by N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone at 198.3K.

Because TRI figures are estimated, not metered, year-over-year deltas can reflect methodology revisions, ownership changes, or shifts in what a facility classifies as reportable, not only physical emission changes. Treat the trajectory as a disclosure record, and cross-reference with the EPA Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) system for the fuller regulatory picture on this transportation equipment facility.

Overall Trend
↑ Increasing (+13.5%)
2019 Total
123.4K lbs
2023 Total
140.1K lbs

Total Releases by Category

Air
Water
Land
Offsite Transfer
028.4K56.7K85.1K113.4K141.8K 20192020202120222023 Pounds Released

Year-over-Year Comparison

Year Total Chemicals YoY Change
2019 123.4K lbs 13 -
2020 136.9K lbs 13 +11.0%
2021 141.8K lbs 13 +3.5%
2022 117.4K lbs 13 -17.2%
2023 140.1K lbs 13 +19.3%

Top Chemicals by Year

Chemical 20192020202120222023 Total
Certain glycol ethers 60.5K 76.0K 80.8K 60.3K 67.3K 344.8K
N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone 34.9K 40.4K 40.1K 37.6K 45.2K 198.3K
n-Butyl alcohol 7.7K 8.2K 9.9K 6.6K 8.1K 40.4K
Zinc compounds 6.0K 4.9K 3.7K 3.5K 3.5K 21.6K
Xylene (mixed isomers) 2.0K 1.6K 1.6K 1.7K 5.2K 12.2K
Nickel compounds - 2.8K 2.6K 1.9K 2.5K 9.7K
Ethylene glycol 1.1K 377 130 3.5K 2.7K 7.8K
1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene 833 1.1K 1.3K 1.2K 3.2K 7.7K
Nickel And Nickel Compounds 6.7K - - - - 6.7K
Copper 349 726 852 522 738 3.2K
Manganese And Manganese Compounds 2.8K 21 111 12 16 3.0K
n-Hexane 309 410 402 507 998 2.6K
Ethylbenzene 108 215 340 234 595 1.5K
Sodium nitrite - - - - - 0

About This Data

Trend data is sourced from the EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI). Facilities report annually. Release quantities are self-reported estimates. Year-over-year changes may reflect changes in production, pollution control measures, reporting methodology, or chemical thresholds.

A decrease in reported releases does not necessarily indicate improved environmental performance, as it may reflect production cutbacks, facility closures, or changes in reporting requirements. Similarly, increases may reflect expanded production rather than degraded environmental practices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Volkswagen Group of America Chattanooga Operations Llc. getting cleaner or dirtier?
Based on EPA TRI data from 2019–2023, Volkswagen Group of America Chattanooga Operations Llc.'s total toxic releases have increased by approximately 14%.
What time period does this trend data cover?
This page shows 5 years of EPA Toxic Release Inventory data from 2019–2023. Release quantities are self-reported estimates filed annually by the facility.