Useful information
Prime News delivers timely, accurate news and insights on global events, politics, business, and technology
Tata Steel faces a possible €27 million fine from the Dutch Environmental Service over emissions violations at two of its plants in the Netherlands.
The company has been given eight weeks to significantly reduce emissions of harmful substances. If Tata Steel does not comply, it could face fines of up to €27 million. Dutch authorities have also warned that they could consider revoking the plant’s permit if its Coke 2 gas factory fails to meet legal standards within a year.
The Dutch Environmental Service has reported that the chimneys of Tata Steel’s coke gas plants 1 and 2 emit harmful substances, including heavy metals and carcinogenic PAHs.
According to a report published on December 19, inspections carried out in February and August found emissions at levels 20 times the legal limit at factory 1 and five times the limit at factory 2. The Environmental Service has given Tata Steel eight weeks to address these violations before a follow-up evaluation.
In response, Tata Steel expressed its commitment to upgrading the plants and expressed its disagreement with the content of the notification and its underlying reasons. The company is seeking further discussions with the Environmental Service, the province and other interested parties.
“We find the way these decisions were made very painful,” the steelmaker’s statement said, adding that the factory “plays an important role in our continuity and our Green Steel plan.”
Both coke gas plants have been under increased scrutiny since 2023. Earlier this year, health think tank IJmond recommended closing the outdated Factory 2 to reduce safety risks. However, Tata Steel plans to keep the factory open until at least 2029. The Environmental Service has already fined Tata for the release of toxic substances from the plant’s “raw coke” production.
The Environment Service has stated that factory 2 does not comply with legal requirements and in October indicated that measures would be applied. Tata Steel now has six weeks to submit an action plan to bring the factory into compliance, with one year to implement the necessary changes. If the company does not comply with legal standards within that period, the Environmental Service may revoke its license.
