‘Because safety and the environment are our most important priorities, we take this measurement very seriously. In consultation with the North Sea Canal Area Environmental Agency (ODNZKG), we have decided to shut down the DSP,” reads a statement from Tata Steel.
The Environment Agency says in its own statement that Tata Steel immediately informed them about this exceedance and is shutting down the installation at the request of the Environment Agency, ANP reports. This will happen no later than tomorrow at 12 noon.
Tata Steel says it is currently working on additional technical and organizational measures to reduce chromium-6 emissions. ‘Only after we have tested that the DSP fully meets all standards again, will we put the installation into normal use.’
Only way to stop harmful emissions
According to the Environment Agency, measured emissions were significantly above the applicable standard. Removing the DSP from service is the only way to immediately stop further harmful emissions, the agency said. The Environment Agency supervises the decommissioning of the installation and will ensure that the standard is met when restarting.
In the casting mill, liquid steel is converted into coils of steel. This steel is used in electrical components such as electric motors and transformers, but also in car seats, furniture and facade panels. Annual production is 1.4 million tons or 70,000 coils, Tata Steel said.
