Court Temporarily Halts Use of Banned Toxic Chemical at Eskilstuna Factory

The Mark- och miljödomstolen (Land and Environment Court) has temporarily halted Senior Materials' use of the toxic chemical methylene chloride at its factory in Eskilstuna. This decision stems from the court’s finding that Senior Materials’ application for an exemption to use the banned substance is incomplete and cannot be properly evaluated. Methylene chloride is prohibited in Sweden due to its toxicity, but Senior Materials requires it to produce separator film, a critical component for lithium batteries used in electric vehicles.

The court also criticized the Kemikalieinspektionen (Swedish Chemicals Agency) for previously granting an exemption in September without thorough investigation. Following the court’s December 10 ruling, the case has been sent back to the agency for a new and prompt reassessment.

The factory had initially generated positive attention for promising job creation in the Eskilstuna area, but it has faced significant protests over environmental and safety concerns related to the use of methylene chloride. The court's decision underscores regulatory caution in balancing industrial progress with chemical safety and environmental protection.

According to authorities, the incomplete application and earlier insufficient scrutiny mean the exemption cannot stand at this time, leaving Senior Materials unable to resume production involving methylene chloride until the review is complete.