Semcorp battery plant in Debrecen suspended after groundwater contamination

Hungarian environmental authorities have suspended operations at the Semcorp battery factory in Debrecen after investigations found metal and semi‑metal pollutants in groundwater beneath the site. Samples taken from monitoring wells, rain‑water drainage and a storage tank showed concentrations of aluminium, barium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, lithium, manganese, nickel, lead, copper, iron, arsenic and zinc exceeding legal limits. The water‑management office imposed a fine of one million for late reporting of results and ordered the company to install water‑tight barriers, expand monitoring, and cover procedural costs exceeding two million.

The incident follows earlier concerns about the plant’s environmental compliance, including previous violations of air‑quality and permit conditions. Debrecen’s mayor condemned the situation as unacceptable and called for a review of the plant’s environmental licence. Semcorp, which received state support of 13 billion forints to create about 440 jobs, now faces additional administrative proceedings and possible revocation of its operating permit.