ADRIAN — New equipment is in place that is supposed to reduce odor problems at the Crimson Holdings powdered egg processing plant in Adrian.

Crimson Holdings began processing eggs for the pet food industry at the former Dairy Farmers of America plant, 1336 E. Maumee St., in December 2021. After the plant started operating, neighbors began to report noxious odors coming from the plant. In a complaint to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, one resident described the smell as “organic death.” 

State regulators have issued numerous violation notices to Crimson Holdings over the past two years — at one point noting that areas up to a half mile downwind were affected — and the city of Adrian took the company to court. 

In March 2023, a taller stack was installed in an effort to control odors, but problems persisted. A few months later, Crimson Holdings applied for permission to install a packed bed scrubber, which is a system used to treat gaseous pollutants. 

On Dec. 20, the company notified the city that the packed bed scrubber had been installed. 

Under the terms of a consent judgment entered into by Crimson Holdings and the city in Lenawee County District Court, the city may request a court review of the effectiveness of the odor control measures after the scrubber has been fully operational for 45 days. 

Any residents wishing to report problems can contact Leslie Love, the city’s community revitalization coordinator, at [email protected] or 517-264-4805.