Tata factory making iPhone parts faces closure warning over water contamination allegations

The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board has raised serious allegations against a Tata Electronics factory, which produces components for Apple's iPhones. The board claims that wastewater released from the facility has contaminated groundwater used by local farms, prompting a warning of potential closure unless satisfactory explanations are provided. Tata Electronics plays a pivotal role in Apple's strategy to shift iPhone production away from China, standing as the company's second-largest supplier in South Asia, following Taiwan's Foxconn. The factory in question, located in Hosur, Tamil Nadu, manufactures essential parts including back panels for iPhones. Local farmers have been voicing concerns for several months, claiming that wastewater from Tata's operations has polluted their agricultural land and wells. These complaints prompted five inspections by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board between December 2025 and May 2026, according to a regulatory notice dated May 25 that was reviewed by Reuters. During these inspections, the board discovered that Tata had been discharging wastewater into a rainwater harvesting pond, which subsequently overflowed and contaminated groundwater in nearby agricultural areas. In its official warning, the pollution board noted that Tata had not addressed previous corrective actions mandated in a letter sent on December 23, 2025. The May notice questioned why the factory should not face power disconnection and closure due to these alleged violations. In response, Tata Electronics stated that it had engaged an independent laboratory for a thorough analysis, which concluded that the company complies fully with all regulatory standards. The firm expressed its commitment to responsible business practices, emphasizing the importance of environmental protection and community welfare, though it refrained from providing further details about its discussions with pollution authorities.