- India is threatening to close Tata's iPhone component plant in Hosur after farmers said the plant's wastewater is contaminating their fields and wells.
The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board issued a notice this week, giving Tata a short window to stop the discharge. The plant, which assembles back panels and other parts, was built after Tata bought a Pegatron facility in 2024. Local agricultural groups have lodged repeated complaints, saying the water they rely on for crops is tainted with industrial runoff.
If the plant shuts, Apple could face supply disruptions for iPhone components sourced from South India, and the case may set a precedent for stricter enforcement of industrial waste rules in the region. It also adds pressure on global manufacturers to audit their environmental impact.
The move is a reminder that regulatory bite can outweigh the allure of cheap production sites.