An Italian court has issued a landmark ruling, sentencing 11 executives to prison due to accusations of contaminating groundwater with per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) originating from the Miteni fluorochemicals facility located in Trissino, Italy. This plant, which has been operating since the 1960s, became a center of environmental concern after probes indicated it was the origin of widespread PFAS pollution impacting groundwater and soil in the area.
Initially functioning as an independent entity, Miteni was later acquired by Japan’s Mitsubishi before being taken over by the Luxembourg-based International Chemical Investors Group (ICIG) in 2009. The plant shut down after declaring bankruptcy in 2018. The inquiry that resulted in this trial was launched by Veneto regional officials in 2013, identifying the Miteni facility as a major player in environmental pollution that affected hundreds of thousands of inhabitants.
Prosecutors contended that Miteni carelessly managed PFAS-contaminated wastewater, which was inadequately processed prior to its release, and further alleged that the firm hid the gravity of the situation once it was uncovered. The case gained backing from environmental activists, such as Greenpeace, and local representatives supporting the impacted community.
The sentenced executives, including individuals from both Miteni and its parent companies, received prison terms varying from two years and eight months to 17 years and six months. Furthermore, the court levied a total penalty of around €57 million on Mitsubishi, ICIG, and the individual defendants for the environmental and health damages caused. This case represents a crucial step in holding corporations responsible for environmental misconduct and highlights the wider repercussions of industrial pollution on public health and safety.