Public Prosecution Office Summons Tata Steel Ijmuiden Over Alleged Pollution at Coke Plants

Public Prosecution Office Summons Tata Steel Ijmuiden Over Alleged Pollution at Coke Plants​

Tata Steel Ijmuiden B.V. (TSIJ), a wholly-owned foreign subsidiary of Tata Steel Limited, has been summoned by the Dutch Public Prosecution Office (PPO) regarding suspected criminal offenses related to alleged pollution at its coke and gas plants (CGP 1 and 2) in Ijmuiden, Netherlands.

The PPO decision pertains specifically to the allegation that TSIJ allowed undercooked coke to occur in Coke and Gas Plants (KGF) 1 and 2 and failed to report these instances in a timely manner.

TSIJ emphasized its commitment to environmental stewardship, noting that it views itself as an essential neighbor to the local community and is fully dedicated to minimizing its impact on the surrounding area. The company reported that Tata Steel Nederland's CO₂ intensity stands at approximately 1.66 tonnes of CO₂ per tonne of crude steel produced, positioning the facility among the most CO₂-efficient integrated steel producers globally.

Operational Context and Improvements​

TSIJ produces coke in KGF 1 and 2, which involve processing iron ores into iron and using fuel to reach high temperatures in blast furnaces. The plants produce approximately 135,000 batches annually.

The occurrence of "undercooked coke" results in short term peak emissions because it is a byproduct of an industrial production process of this scale. TSIJ has maintained continuous dialogue with the North Sea Canal Area Environmental Service, the relevant supervisory authority, regarding these incidents.

Since 2020, TSIJ has implemented substantial and tangible improvements. The company states that the number of instances of undercooked coke has been reduced by 98%, averaging less than 0.011% in the period from January 2020 to May 2026.

The frequency of incidents related to KGF 1 and 2 over the last few years is summarized below:


TSIJ believes that the allegations are fundamentally unjustified given the proactive steps taken and the historical data. The company also considers criminal proceedings unnecessary regarding a limited number of past KGF incidents, stating that these incidents have been subjects of technical improvements.

Furthermore, TSIJ noted that KGF 1 and 2 are scheduled to be fully closed in the coming years as part of the Green Steel Project, during which TSIJ will transition to a more sustainable method of steel production. The company confirmed that the allegations continue to be reviewed by its management team, and a substantive defense will be presented during court proceedings.

TATASTEEL Stock Price Movement​

Tata Steel Limited shares finished the day strong, with the stock closing at ₹191.19 in post-market trading, reflecting a solid 1.70% gain today. The equity traded within a tight range of ₹188.74 and ₹193.30, while witnessing total volume amounting to 23.15 million shares.