Court alters Chemours' permit, imposes stricter environmental requirements

A Dutch court has adjusted the environmental permit of chemical company Chemours, located in Dordrecht, on several points, partly at the request of the company, which had sought a provisional ruling. The court outlined the conditions the PFAS producer must follow until the appeal regarding Chemours' permit is heard.

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are man-made chemicals with water, grease, and dirt-repelling properties, used in products such as nonstick cookware, rainwear, and firefighting foam. These substances do not break down in the environment and pose potential risks to human health and ecosystems.

In 2022, the province of Zuid-Holland issued a revised permit for Chemours, updating the company’s original "main permit" from 2013. This new permit addresses various environmental requirements the plastics producer must adhere to.

Chemours, along with other entities such as grid operator Stedin, water authority Hollandse Delta, and drinking water suppliers Oasen and Evides, filed appeals against the updated permit. The appeal is expected to be heard later this year, with a decision anticipated by early 2026.

Chemours has opposed several aspects of the province’s stringent environmental approach. During a session on December 12, the parties' lawyers negotiated specific terms of the provisions. The court’s ruling requires Chemours to provide information by March 1 on the availability of new measurement methods and detection limits for PFAS compounds.

The province of Zuid-Holland said it would "thoroughly" review the ruling with its legal team to fully understand the implications. Chemours has not yet commented on the decision. The two parties have frequently clashed in court over the years.

Chemours has previously contested stricter permit requirements and fines for releasing unauthorized substances into the environment, including large amounts of PFAS.