Olin Drops Lawsuit Opposing EPA’s Chrysotile Asbestos Rule (1)

Olin Corp. is withdrawing from a lawsuit challenging the EPA’s regulation phasing out all ongoing uses of chrysotile asbestos.

The company’s notice to the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit doesn’t explain its reasons. But the company said withdrawing its lawsuit allows Olin to focus on a two-year extension request it’s submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency and ongoing work with the agency to advance a practical path forward.

The withdrawal is notable because Olin is one of the few US companies that has used chrysotile asbestos in equipment used to make chlorine and caustic soda. Yet Olin has been working to produce the chemicals with alternative technologies, president and CEO Kenneth Lane previously told Bloomberg Law.

The withdrawal comes weeks before the June 1 oral arguments in the lawsuit. The American Chemistry Council and other chemical trade organization are challenging the rule, as are the United Steel Workers and Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO).

“Olin’s decision to withdraw is an act of corporate leadership that recognizes that industry’s continued opposition to a ban of this dangerous substance is irresponsible and that, after millions of asbestos-related deaths in the U.S. and globally, any use of asbestos is indefensible,” said Linda Reinstein, president and CEO of ADAO said in a statement about the company’s withdrawal.

“The alignment between Olin and ADAO represents a rare and credible opportunity to resolve the issue of asbestos use in the United States once and for all. A practical, industry and advocacy-supported solution has now been clearly defined, yet its success depends on timely government action,” Lane said in a statement ADAO distributed and Bloomberg Law confirmed with the company.

The case is Texas Chemistry Council v. EPA, 5th Cir., No. 24-60193, Stipulation to Dismiss Filed, 5/6/26.