The Dutch Public Prosecution Service (OM) opened a criminal investigation on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, into chemical manufacturer Sabic for allegedly discharging hazardous PFAS chemicals without a permit in Bergen op Zoom.
Authorities suspect the petrochemical company of releasing perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS) into the Westerschelde and the Theodorushaven. This could cause severe and permanent environmental and public health damage.
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The Functioneel Parket, a specialized OM division for environmental crime and fraud, is leading the investigation.
It follows a joint criminal complaint filed in February by multiple foundations, including Stichting Gezond Water.
The investigation will examine whether Sabic and its executives are criminally liable for introducing harmful substances into surface waters.
Assistance comes from the police, the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT), Rijkswaterstaat, and the Midden- en West-Brabant Environmental Service.
According to the OM, PFBS is a non-biodegradable flame retardant added to plastics. It can impair human immune systems and cause cancer through prolonged exposure.
The OM acknowledged the need to balance a thorough investigation with public urgency due to potential ecological and health hazards.
"Gelet op de mogelijke gevolgen voor mens en milieu, de vaart erin houden," stated the Openbaar Ministerie regarding the investigation's pace.
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The criminal probe follows prior administrative enforcement actions against the Bergen op Zoom facility.
In October, the Oost-Brabant District Court imposed a strict discharge limit on Sabic, restricting its annual PFBS wastewater emissions to 2.75 kilograms, down from a previous output of 51 kilograms per year.
