Eskilstuna Municipality Appeals to Government Over Toxic Emissions from Battery Factory

Eskilstuna municipality has formally appealed to the Swedish government to intervene in the operations of the China-owned Senior Material battery factory, which has been granted a permit to use 1,280 tons of methylene chloride, a highly toxic and carcinogenic solvent banned in Sweden since 1996. The permit, approved by the Swedish Chemicals Agency, has raised serious concerns among local officials who argue it contradicts both Sweden's and the EU's objectives to phase out such hazardous substances from industrial use. Jimmy Jansson, chair of Eskilstuna's municipal council, emphasized that while the municipality welcomes economic development, it cannot support exemptions that violate national and European regulatory goals. He highlighted that the initial lack of sufficient information about the permit approval and the responsibility for these conditions rest both with Senior Material and the regulatory authorities. The substance is used in producing separator films for electric vehicle batteries, which is key to the company’s manufacturing process. The municipal council unanimously agrees on the need for stricter legislation and a thorough review of current permit practices to prevent ongoing toxic emissions, urging the national government for stronger regulatory oversight.