The Public Prosecution Service (OM) is conducting a criminal investigation into Pelt & Hooykaas, the company that markets steel slag originating from the Tata Steel factory in IJmuiden. The controversial construction material has caused environmental damage in several locations.
The OM sees indications that Pelt & Hooykaas is aware of the risk of environmental damage but does not sufficiently oversee the correct use of steel slag by customers. This would mean that the company is not fulfilling its environmental duty of care. The OM confirmed this to NU.nl on Wednesday after reports from Nieuwsuur.
A ruling published last week by the Rotterdam District Court shows that the investigation service of the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) has been trying to gain insight into agreements between Tata Steel and Pelt & Hooykaas since February 2024. The inspection also wants to see documents regarding the use of steel slag at four locations where environmental damage occurred.
Pelt & Hooykaas did not want to release this information, but the court has now ordered them to do so. The requested documents are “reasonably necessary” to carry out the investigation, the court ruled.
Mandatory Reporting for Steel Slag Next Year
Steel slag is a waste product that is created when steel is made. The stone-like material can be used as a cheap substitute for sand or gravel, but when it comes into contact with rainwater, heavy metals leach out. The material also has a strong effect on the acidity of the soil.
The ILT has repeatedly warned that the current laws and regulations are not sufficient to prevent this environmental damage and the associated health risks. Starting next year, a mandatory reporting requirement will apply to the use of steel slag for the first time, after the House of Representatives called for it. Local supervisors will also receive more instruments to intervene if steel slag is used incorrectly.
115 Locations Identified
Mattheus Wassenaar, Inspector-General of the ILT, recently said during a hearing in the House of Representatives that the supervisor wanted to receive documents from Pelt & Hooykaas about the use of steel slag. The inspection hopes that the company has information about all Dutch locations where steel slag has been applied.
NU.nl and Investico recently conducted research into this and came up with a list of 115 locations, but that overview is far from complete because the use of steel slag does not yet need to be registered.
Conversations with Pelt & Hooykaas about releasing this information have “not been going so smoothly,” Wassenaar said. According to him, the inspection was looking for “heavier instruments” to get the information.
House of Representatives Wants Total Ban
The House of Representatives has issued a motion calling for a ban on the use of steel slag until more is clear about the consequences for the environment and health. The State Secretary for Infrastructure & Water Management is responsible for the implementation of that motion, but this position has been vacant since the fall of the Schoof cabinet.