A factory of Apple iPhone OEM Tata Group (Tata) in Tamil Nadu, India, was accused by local environmental protection regulators of discharging wastewater that polluted surrounding farmland irrigation and domestic water, and failed to take effective corrective measures after receiving a formal warning. It is currently facing the risk of being ordered to suspend production.
According to reports, the factory in question is located in the Hosur region in southern Tamil Nadu. It was built by Tata in the process of expanding its iPhone business. The group had also acquired the Indian factory of another iPhone OEM, Pegatron, in 2024. The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) said it has issued a notice to Tata, warning that if the problem is not resolved, it may require the plant to be shut down and its power supply cut off.
Many local farmers have repeatedly complained to the TNPCB that wastewater discharged from the factory has polluted their land and nearby open wells, affecting agricultural irrigation and domestic water use. Regulators conducted five on-site inspections of the plant between December 2025 and May 2026 following sustained complaints from farmers. Inspectors found that wastewater discharged from the factory caused a rainwater collection tank in the factory area to overflow, thereby affecting groundwater conditions in surrounding farmland.
After an investigation, the TNPCB determined that groundwater in open wells on agricultural land immediately adjacent to the factory had been contaminated, noting that Tata had been formally warned of the issue as early as December 23, 2025. However, the agency believes that companies have yet to effectively address pollution risks.
Tata responded to Reuters through a spokesperson that an analysis by an independent agency showed that the company's operations are "fully compliant" with relevant environmental regulations. The spokesperson also denied the allegation of "non-response" and said Tata had responded to the TNPCB's comments and acted accordingly. However, the latest measure taken by the TNPCB is to ask Tata to explain why it should not shut down and cut off power at the factory, showing that there are still clear differences between the two parties over the determination of responsibility and the effectiveness of rectification.
This factory mainly produces a variety of components, including iPhone back covers, and is part of Tata's continued expansion of Apple's business in India in recent years. In the past three years, Tata first acquired Wistron's iPhone production line in Karnataka in 2023, and then reached a cooperation with Pegatron to invest more than US$1 billion in expanding iPhone production facilities in Tamil Nadu and jointly promote a new factory project in Hosur. The factory, which is currently being targeted by regulators, was forced to shut down for a period due to a fire in late 2024, and now faces the possibility of another shutdown due to environmental issues.
As of now, Apple has not commented on the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board’s investigation conclusions and follow-up measures.