Two Tata Steel casting machines still exceed dust limits despite penalties

Two of Tata Steel’s three continuous-casting machines at its IJmuiden works are still emitting more dust than permitted, despite millions of euros in penalty payments, Dutch news agency ANP reports. The local environmental authority is considering its next step after one machine reached the maximum penalty it can impose under the current order.

The machines process liquid steel into long slabs. Dust and hydrogen fluoride are released during the process, according to the report.

For one machine, the authority began imposing penalties in October 2023: two payments of €250,000. After emissions remained too high, the penalty rose to €500,000 per violation. Four violations brought the total to the €2 million cap. A second machine has recently received its first penalty, of €500,000.

The report does not say what further enforcement action the authority will take. Tata Steel and the Dutch government are also negotiating a proposed sustainability agreement for the IJmuiden works, with the deadline for a final deal extended to 1 March 2027.