Europe's biggest plastic facility could threaten local water supply, lawyers warn in fresh action 

The developers of what could become Europe’s largest plastic facility have filed their sixth project permit application in six years, for the same project. Like their five previous attempts, according to environmental lawyers, this fails to fully address the water supply and pollution issues it stands to create, among other issues.   

This is the warning from a coalition of NGOs and community groups in their objection to the new permit application for INEOS’ Project One in the port of Antwerp. [1]  

The multi-billion-euro development would use imported fracked fossil gas to make the raw materials for plastic and would run for 50 years once operational, locking surrounding communities into decades of projected health issues. [2]  

In their objection, lawyers argue that the plant’s demand for water could put even further strain on the Meuse River, which would be used to provide the cooling water for the plant’s reactors.  

A primary water source that millions of people in Belgium and the Netherlands rely on, the Meuse River is already declining in water volume - especially during the summer. [3]  

The objection argues that INEOS has failed to fully account for this issue - especially as Flemish water reservoirs are limited in a time of scarcity. [4]  

Additionally, lawyers argue the permit application does not fully address the impact on the nearby Scheldt River – as current plans run the risk of toxic substances such as arsenic and uranium entering the already polluted waterway. [5]  

The water arguments stack on top of an array of substantiated climate, nature and health evidence, already presented in previous cases.  

ClientEarth lawyer Tatiana Luján said:  

“In yet another permit application, Project One has its hopes pinned to a permit that, as is, puts health, climate, nature and drinking water at risk in Flanders.  

“More facilities like these are not needed anywhere. They only stand to bloat an oversaturated global plastics market. 

“Ploughing ahead with Project One would create further oversupply of raw plastic materials, which makes for rocky foundations for existing jobs and plants in the port of Antwerp.” [6]  

Further background to the case  

Project One has been granted permit after permit by Flemish local authorities. The plant's permit was suspended by an injunction in 2020, and one of its subsequent permits was overturned in court in 2023. A fifth lawsuit against the plant was then filed in November 2025 – with other judgments to come. [7]  

Since the legal battle began, courts around the world have made major clarifications on the inclusion of ‘Scope 3’ emissions in Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), which are essentially the off-site greenhouse gas emissions of the proposed plant. Cases against Project One’s permit make arguments related to its Scope 3 impact.  

Recent national and international judgments have said that the full extent of the emissions must be fully and accurately reflected in Environmental Impact Assessments – which, in the case of Project One, ClientEarth and partners argue they are not. [8]  

This ongoing legal battle marks the first time a court has been asked to weigh in on Scope 3 and plastics – making it a landmark issue.  

​​[1] The objection was filed on 23 January and is an administrative objection, which is the participation of interested people to give their views on the request to the government so that the government makes a better-informed decision. ​​​ 

[2] A suite of reports commissioned as evidence for the legal case published in November suggest that the potential global climate and health impacts of the plant have been gravely underestimated.  

For example, the reports estimate the overall regional air pollution impact of Project One, once operational, at 410 deaths attributable to emissions of toxic particles.  

[3] Further information on the proposed water use of Project One can be found in the November 2025 EIA report, available here in the last listed file titled PR3752 PROJECT-MER.pdf.  

In 2019 and 2020, the Meuse River’s flow rate was notably low and threatened drinking water supplies – and current projections show the water supply could halve in summer months by the end of the century.  

A study conducted by Dutch think-tank Deltares said that some 7 million people in Flanders and the Netherlands rely on the Meuse River for their drinking water.  

[4] According to the Brussel Times, Flanders has about 3 weeks’ worth of water held in reservoirs at any given time.  

And further afield, the UN has warned the world is facing irreversible “water bankruptcy” caused by overextraction of water reserves.  

[5] Further information on the proposed water use of Project One can be found in the November 2025 EIA report, available here in the last listed file titled PR3752 PROJECT-MER.pdf. 

[6] More information on the oversaturation of the sector is available here.  

[7] Further information on the 2023 permit overturn is available here, and more information on the fifth permit challenge is available here.  

[8] Such judgments include: