07 US Ecology North Back | Next 09 Ferrous Processing & Trading (FPT)

07 US Ecology North Back | Next 09 Ferrous Processing & Trading (FPT)

At a Glance

  • Address: 5445 Wight Street, Detroit MI 48211
  • Operator: FPT Strong Steel Products, Inc. (a subsidiary of Ferrous Processing & Trading Company, LLC, acquired by Steel Dynamics, Inc.)
  • Facility Type: Steel processing and metal recycling — shearing, cutting, and shipping scrap metal to mills
  • Key Permits: EGLE MiEnviro portal (search “FPT Strong Steel Products 5445 Wight Street”) | Air Permit PTI No. 163-04 (AQD) for fugitive dust controls
  • Violations (2014–2024): Dust and stormwater violations issued 2017 and 2021 by EGLE Air Quality Divisionand Water Resources Division; corrective actions completed
  • Jobs Reported: ≈ 60 employees (Strong Steel site estimate, 2024)
  • Public Funding / Incentives: No Data
  • Sensitive Receptors (1 mile): Residential streets south of Davison and Conant; Hamtramck neighborhoods and parks (EPA EJScreen)
  • Known Issues: Fugitive dust from scrap handling, metal particulates in stormwater runoff, truck traffic to Davison Freeway and I-75
  • Data Sources: EGLE MiEnviro, EPA ECHO, BridgeDetroit, Planet Detroit
  • Last Updated: October 2025

Facility Overview

FPT Strong Steel Products operates a steel-processing and scrap-handling facility at 5445 Wight Street on Detroit’s east side. The plant was founded as part of Ferrous Processing & Trading Company (FPT), a major regional metal recycler now owned by Steel Dynamics, Inc.. The Strong Steel operation cuts and bundles industrial scrap and ships it to mills for re-melting.

The site lies within an industrial corridor north of I-94 and adjacent to rail spurs serving Detroit Hercules and American Iron sites. It has been in continuous operation for decades and remains one of Detroit’s largest metal-recycling yards.

Environmental Record

EGLE’s AQD database lists the facility under SRN B5790 with Air Permit to Install 163-04, covering fugitive-dust controls and truck loading areas. A 2017 EGLE inspection resulted in a violation notice for insufficient dust-suppression measures and inadequate recordkeeping; the company added spray systems and surface wetting as part of its corrective action plan.

In 2021, the Water Resources Division identified stormwater sampling deficiencies and oil sheen near the discharge area to Conant Drain. EGLE reported improvements in runoff controls and follow-up inspections in 2023 confirmed compliance.

EPA ECHO records show no federal enforcement actions against the site since 2018. The facility maintains a state stormwater permit under the Industrial Multi-Sector General Permit (MIG140000).

Community Impact

Residents and workers in the bordering Hamtramck and East Davison neighborhoods have long raised concerns about metal dust and truck traffic along Wight Street. Reports in BridgeDetroit and Planet Detroit document visible particulate buildup and odor episodes during loading operations.

The EPA’s EJScreen tool places nearby census tracts in the 85th to 95th percentile nationwide for fine-particulate exposure and respiratory risk. Community organizations have advocated for increased street sweeping, truck-routing changes, and expanded air monitoring through 2025.

Status & Sources

As of October 2025, FPT Strong Steel continues operations under EGLE oversight. The company has implemented dust-control and stormwater improvements and is considered “in compliance” in the latest EGLE summary.

Sources:

07 US Ecology North Back | Next 09 Ferrous Processing & Trading (FPT)