Eerbeek paper mill takeover leaves steel slag heap unresolved

The recent acquisition of the Folding Boxboard paper mill in Eerbeek does not include the contaminated steel‑slag heap that sits on the former paper waste site. The heap has leaked hazardous substances into the groundwater, prompting health complaints from nearby residents and an investigation by the water board. A solution would be to seal the slag heap, an effort estimated to cost around €10 million and to be funded by the two shareholders, one of which is Folding Boxboard. The other shareholder has not yet committed funds. Local state legislator Charlotte de Roo warned, “En wie gaat dit dan betalen? Dit laat een milieucatastrofe over aan de maatschappij.” Provincial officials said they were unaware that the heap was excluded from the deal, and a provincial spokesperson noted that the exact consequences still need to be mapped. Gelderland provincial administrator Ans Mol said she could not guarantee that the sealing will proceed at the required pace.