The regulators stated that Tata's coke oven at the plant continued to operate in violation of environmental regulations. They indicated that they would consider revoking the oven's license if pollution levels were not reduced within the stipulated timeframe.

Coke ovens are industrial plants or blast furnaces used to produce coking coal, a vital raw material for steel production.

Tata Steel has consistently argued that closing the oven would jeopardise the entire steel plant's operation on the Dutch coast, west of Amsterdam. The company’s factory in IJmuiden is one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases in the Netherlands, and studies have shown that it contributes to several health issues in the surrounding region.