Today, FNV is firm about the possible closure of the controversial coke factories at Tata Steel IJmuiden: “Closing the coke factories will inevitably lead to the closure of Tata Steel in IJmuiden and to a social drama in the region.” Local residents’ organizations are asking for closure and the province recently threatened to do so.
According to the letter from FNV Tata Steel, the closure of the coke factories before ‘Green Steel’ has been carried out ‘would lead to a social drama in the region, similar or worse to the misery that arose after the closure of the mines in Limburg, where the consequences are even worse. are always visible and tangible 50 years after the closure.’
The discussion about Tata Steel and health in the IJmond often refers to the two coke and gas factories, mainly about coke factory 2. coke plants are an outdated and relatively polluting part of the steel company.
But still an essential part for the time being, argue chairman Gerrit Idema, vice-chairman Rob Verhoef and director Cihan Lacin of FNV Tata Steel in a opinion piece on the FNV website. Coke is used in various ways in the steel process. “If the coke plants are closed before the ‘Green Steel’ plan has been implemented, it will have a major negative impact on profitability and business operations,” writes Lacin. “Profit that is necessary to finance the greening.”
Hot breath on the neck
According to the ‘Green Steel’ plan, one of the two planned new green factories should be fully operational by 2030. That would make coke factory 2 superfluous. Later in that decade, the second factory should be fully operational, and the other coke factory may also close.
A short period, which is manageable to produce much greener steel, says Tata Steel; too long a time to take the health risks for granted, according to local residents’ organisations.
Tata Steel is now feeling the hot breath of the province, the regulator, on the neck. The latter recently imposed a cease and desist order on the factory for the third time for the production of harmful, ‘raw’ coke in the coke factories. In addition, deputy Jeroen Olthof threatened that he would not continue to hand out fines forever: it is being investigated whether, if the third penalty payment is full, the license can be revoked.
Putting Deed to Word
But raw coke cannot be completely prevented, Tata Steel said in a response. So it is only a matter of time before the penalty payment has ‘flooded’ and the province can act.
Local residents’ organizations have been calling for closure for a while and also Deputy Olthof previously hinted to NH Nieuws about the possible closure of the coke factories.