Italy’s Banned “Evil Chemical” Resurfaces in India: The Shocking Shift of PFS Chemical Factory to Ratnagiri
A Dark Industrial History Finds a New Home
A chemical factory once banned in Italy for its deadly environmental and health impact has reportedly found a new base in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, raising serious concerns about public safety, environmental protection, and regulatory loopholes in India.
The company, PFS Chemical, earned global notoriety after its operations in Italy were linked to mass cancer cases, reproductive disorders, and environmental contamination. Italian courts later described the substance produced by PFS as an “evil chemical”, citing overwhelming evidence of long-term harm.
Owner Sentenced to 41 Years for Mass Murder
In a landmark judgment, the owner of PFS Chemical was sentenced to 41 years in prison by an Italian court on charges equivalent to mass murder, after thousands of deaths and illnesses were traced back to the factory’s toxic emissions and waste mismanagement.
The case became one of Europe’s most severe industrial crime convictions, setting a precedent for corporate accountability in environmental disasters.
Machinery Auctioned — Only One Buyer Emerged
After the ban, PFS Chemical’s machinery was auctioned in Italy. Shockingly, reports indicate that only one bidder participated — Viva Chemical.
Soon after acquiring the equipment, Viva Chemical allegedly relocated and installed the same machinery in India, choosing the ecologically rich and scenic coastal region of Ratnagiri.
Why India? Weak Laws and Costly Silence
Environmental activists argue that India’s comparatively weak enforcement of hazardous chemical waste laws makes it a convenient destination for industries rejected by stricter Western regulations.
While India does have environmental laws on paper, monitoring, enforcement, and penalties remain inconsistent, especially in rural or economically underdeveloped regions.
“What Europe bans for killing its citizens should never be welcomed in India,” warn environmental groups.
Echoes of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy
India has already paid a heavy price for regulatory failure.
The Bhopal Gas Tragedy of 1984, one of the world’s worst industrial disasters, killed thousands and permanently injured generations. Yet, four decades later, critics say lessons from Bhopal are still being ignored.
The relocation of a factory with such a toxic history raises an uncomfortable question:
Are Indian lives still cheaper than corporate profits?
Health Risks: Cancer and Sexual Disorders
Medical studies linked to PFS Chemical’s earlier operations found strong associations with:
- Increased cancer rates
- Hormonal disruption
- Sexual and reproductive disorders
- Birth defects
- Long-term soil and water contamination
If similar chemicals are produced or waste is mishandled in India, the consequences could be irreversible, especially in coastal regions dependent on fishing and agriculture.
A Call for Immediate Transparency
Environmental experts and local residents are now demanding:
- Full disclosure of chemicals being produced
- Independent environmental impact assessments
- Continuous air, water, and soil monitoring
- Strict waste disposal audits
- Public hearings with affected communities
Conclusion: Development Must Not Mean Destruction
India’s development journey cannot be built on the toxic leftovers of banned industries from developed nations. If a chemical factory is deemed too dangerous for Europe, it should not be silently reborn in India.
The story of PFS Chemical is not just about one factory — it is a warning about global environmental injustice, where pollution is exported and accountability stops at borders.
India must choose: repeat history, or protect its future.
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