Government Asserts Ratnagiri Plant Compliant Amid Local Concerns Over Italian Machinery
In response to growing apprehensions from residents and political figures in Maharashtra, the Union Environment Ministry has officially stated that a chemical plant in Ratnagiri, operated by Laxmi Organic Industries Limited, is functioning within all consented environmental standards. This declaration comes despite the facility's utilization of machinery sourced from Miteni, an Italian firm previously embroiled in a contamination scandal.
Parliamentary Response Addresses PFAS and Procurement Questions
Union Minister of State for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh presented a detailed written statement in the Rajya Sabha, directly addressing inquiries raised by Congress MP Pramod Tiwari. The response clarified that, according to the Maharashtra State Pollution Control Board (MPCB), the plant's effluent treatment and air pollution control systems are fully operational. Hazardous waste is managed through scientific storage and statutory disposal procedures.
The ministry emphasized that recent Joint Vigilance Sample results from November 4, 2025, confirm compliance with all regulatory standards. This assurance aims to alleviate fears stemming from the plant's association with Miteni, which was shut down in 2018 following allegations of PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) contamination. PFAS, often termed "forever chemicals," are synthetic compounds known for their persistence in the environment.
Background on the Ratnagiri Facility and Italian Connection
The ministry's reply detailed that Laxmi Organic Industries Limited, located in the MIDC Lote Parshuram Industrial Area of Ratnagiri District, procured manufacturing infrastructure from Miteni SPA, Italy, during the 2021-22 period. The company had outlined in a 2021 SEBI filing its strategy to establish a fluorospecialty chemicals business, acquiring specific plants, equipment, and patents from Miteni through an auction bid in June 2019 for approximately Euro 4.63 million.
This acquisition was facilitated via Viva Lifesciences Pvt Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary, leading to the development of a new facility spanning 80,000 square meters within the industrial area. Fluorospecialty chemicals produced at this site are utilized across critical sectors including pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, aerospace, and automobiles.
Local Protests and Regulatory Framework on PFAS
Last month, Ratnagiri locals expressed their concerns through questions and staged protests, demanding greater transparency regarding the plant's environmental safeguards. Maharashtra Pollution Control Board officials, who were reportedly reviewing the operations, have not provided additional comments on the matter.
In his parliamentary query, Tiwari also sought clarification on whether the government has implemented regulations banning PFAS. The ministry responded that there is "no specific environmental regulation banning PFAS manufacturing" in India. However, it noted that two PFAS pesticides—Trifluralin and Oxyfluorfen—are under restricted use, and 126 PFAS active substances are listed in the Schedules to the Insecticides Act, 1968.
Environmental Clearances and Expansion Plans
The ministry further stated that the company initially received environmental clearance from the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority, which was later transferred to its fully-owned subsidiary, Yellowstone Fine Chemicals Pvt Ltd. Additionally, the company secured clearance last year to expand its production capacity, indicating ongoing operational growth within the regulatory framework.
This comprehensive response from the Environment Ministry seeks to balance industrial development with environmental accountability, addressing both the technical compliance of the Ratnagiri plant and the broader policy context surrounding PFAS chemicals in India.
