PROPOSED REGULATIONS BY THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY FORCED THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY TO SEEK ALTERNATIVES TO LANDFILLING OF PAINT SLUDGE. TO THE BENEFIT OF THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY, THE FINAL REGULATIONS WERE RELAXED AND THE DISPOSAL ALTERNATIVES WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE ONLY IF COST-EFFECTIVE. MORE EFFECTIVE DEWATERING OF THE PAINT SLUDGE PROVIDES FLEXIBILITY IN THE ULTIMATE DISPOSAL AS WELL AS COST EFFICIENCIES.