Key facts
- Tata Electronics' iPhone components plant in Tamil Nadu has had a pollution investigation dropped.
- The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board confirmed Tata satisfactorily addressed all queries in its warning notice.
- Farmers had complained that wastewater discharge from the plant contaminated open wells in adjacent agricultural lands.
- Tata stated that water samples from its facility showed no contamination.
- An independent analysis commissioned by Tata also found all parameters within prescribed limits.
Tata Electronics, a key supplier for Apple's iPhone production in India, has had a pollution investigation dropped by the Tamil Nadu state pollution control board. The scrutiny followed complaints from local farmers who alleged that wastewater discharge from the plant had contaminated open wells in adjacent agricultural lands.
In a statement, Tata Electronics confirmed that the pollution control board had "satisfactorily addressed all queries" mentioned in a warning notice and consequently "dropped any further course of action on this issue." The company also stated that water samples collected from its manufacturing facility in Hosur, Tamil Nadu, showed no contamination. Furthermore, Tata commissioned an independent analysis through an accredited laboratory, which indicated that all parameters were within prescribed limits. This analysis was submitted to the pollution authority.
The plant, located in Hosur, manufactures back panels and other components for iPhones and is part of Apple's broader strategy to diversify its iPhone production beyond China. This development comes after previous incidents affecting Apple's India supply chain, including a fire at the same Tata plant in September 2024 and another at a former supplier Pegatron's facility in September 2023, both of which briefly halted production.