Westlake Chemical Corp
WLK
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exclusion reason
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Westlake Chemical Corp is screened out under 1 exclusion reason spanning 1 issue category.
This page is part of our public exclusion list — a transparency tool that shows which companies we screen out and why. It is not investment advice, and it is not an accusation. It is a statement of values.
Westlake Chemical Corp operates a major petrochemical complex in Calvert City, Kentucky, where its vinyls manufacturing facilities are a primary source of toxic air emissions. A 2024 ProPublica analysis identified emissions from this plant as driving an "elevated chronic cancer risk" for residents in the surrounding community. The company has a documented history of environmental violations. In 2007, a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) audit of the company's leak detection and repair (LDAR) programs alleged violations of environmental laws; the matter was referred to the Department of Justice for civil action, resulting in a settlement. Westlake is also a significant source of plastic pellet pollution, a hazardous form of microplastic that contaminates waterways and oceans. Following shareholder pressure, the company agreed in 2020 to begin publicly reporting spills of these plastic pellets, known as nurdles.
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Companies appear on our exclusion list based on our investment judgment — not because they've done anything illegal. This is a difference of values and opinion, not an accusation of wrongdoing. Exclusion does not constitute a recommendation against investing in any company, and absence from the list does not constitute a recommendation to invest.
This information is provided for educational and transparency purposes only and should not be relied upon as investment advice. Data is drawn from independent watchdogs, NGOs, government registries, and Ethical Capital's ongoing research — see Research Sources for the full list.
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