Dutch prosecutors have announced that steel producer Tata Steel is to face criminal prosecution over allegations that the company intentionally released substances harmful to the health of residents living near its IJmuiden plant, in the province of North Holland.
The Public Prosecution Service (OM) said its investigation found sufficient grounds to bring criminal charges against the company. Prosecutors allege that Tata Steel failed to properly maintain parts of its industrial facilities, operated at times without the required permits and failed to report certain incidents involving emissions.
The case follows a mass complaint filed in 2021 by lawyer Bénédicte Ficq on behalf of around 800 residents living near the steelworks. The complaint accused Tata Steel of deliberately releasing hazardous substances and causing damage to public health.
A first procedural hearing is scheduled for November 20, 2026 at the district court in Amsterdam, where the OM has said it will set out the specific offences with which the company is charged. Prosecutors are also examining whether individual company directors could be held personally responsible, though they have decided to summon the company now in order to keep the case moving.
The investigation focused in particular on Tata Steel’s coke factories, where coal is heated at high temperatures to produce coke, a key material used in steel production. Local residents have long complained about emissions from these facilities, the older of which, coke factory 2, has been in operation since 1972.
The Environmental Agency for the North Sea Canal Areab has previously considered withdrawing permits for the coke plants because of concerns over emissions harmful to human health and the environment.
Tata Steel has acknowledged incidents involving so-called “raw coke”, which can lead to short-term spikes in emissions. The company argues that such incidents are technically unavoidable in a large-scale industrial operation and says it has since introduced improvements to its production processes.
In a statement, Tata Steel said the criminal case was “unnecessary” and stressed that the company considers it “essential” to be a good neighbour to surrounding communities.
“Concerns and criticism are taken seriously. Measures to improve the situation continue without interruption,” the company said.
Tata Steel said the incidents under investigation were limited in number and had already resulted in technical changes. The company also pointed to plans to accelerate the closure of its coke factories as part of its transition towards cleaner steel production, which would require it to import coke instead.
The Dutch lower house of parliament, the Tweede Kamer, has agreed in principle, under conditions, to €2 billion in support for Tata Steel’s plans to reduce emissions and modernise its IJmuiden operations.
Environmental NGO Greenpeace reacted to the criminal prosecution by insisting that “impunity is over”.
“The time when major polluters get away with causing damage to our health with impunity is over,” said industry expert Willem Wiskerke of Greenpeace Netherlands. The prosecution, he added, was “an acknowledgement that wilfully polluting to make more profit is criminal and will no longer be tolerated” and a warning to other polluting industries.
