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Dutch prosecutors announced on July 8 that they have initiated criminal proceedings against the Dutch subsidiary of Tata Steel over alleged environmental pollution.
Prosecutors stated that a criminal investigation into Tata Steel’s large-scale steel plant in IJmuiden—located on the Dutch coast west of Amsterdam—revealed that the company failed to take adequate measures to prevent the release of hazardous pollutants.
Furthermore, prosecutors noted that Tata Steel’s maintenance of highly polluting coke ovens at the facility was insufficient, S390GD+ZF Hot dip Zinc-Iron alloy coating (ZF) steel , and that the company had engaged in operations without obtaining the necessary permits.
Tata Steel Netherlands disagrees with this. The company states that it has implemented several major improvements in recent years to limit pollution, and argues that initiating criminal proceedings—based on only a "limited" number of relevant incidents—is unnecessary, as these issues are already being addressed through corrective procedures.
It remains unclear whether individual managers at Tata Steel Netherlands will also face criminal liability.
The IJmuiden steel plant is one of the largest industrial sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the Netherlands. S390GD+ZF Hot dip Zinc-Iron alloy coating (ZF) steel , Research commissioned by the Dutch government suggests a link between the plant and various health issues in the local area.
Tata Steel has previously stated that its emission levels comply with current legal limits and expects these emissions to decrease further as planned upgrades progress.
In 2024, Dutch regulators warned that they might shut down a coke oven at the IJmuiden steel plant, citing the facility’s persistent failure to meet environmental regulatory requirements. S390GD+ZF Hot dip Zinc-Iron alloy coating (ZF) steel , This coke oven is one of the plant’s key production facilities.
The first hearing in this case is scheduled for November 20, 2026, at the District Court of Amsterdam.
