Iberpotash Ordered to Remove 45 Million Tons of Toxic Waste 2026

Iberpotash, the Israeli chemical company owned by Israel Chemicals Limited (ICL), has been ordered by the High Court of Justice of Catalonia (TSJC) to remove 45 million tons of toxic salt waste from the Cogulló hill in Sallent de Llobregat, Barcelona. This ruling marks the culmination of two decades of legal battles and represents one of the most significant environmental enforcement actions in Catalonia's history.

What Happened: The Ruling Against Iberpotash

The TSJC has dismissed Iberpotash's final appeal to avoid removing the massive salt mountain that has accumulated over decades. The company, which owns the century-old Súria mine, must now dismantle the contaminated salt pile that sits atop an ancient Iberian settlement site. This decision follows years of legal maneuvering by the company to evade responsibility.

The waste dump, known as El Cogulló, has grown since the late 1970s and is now the highest point in the Bages region. It contains millions of tons of untreated saline residues left exposed to the elements, posing a severe ecological risk to the surrounding area.

Why It Matters: Environmental and Legal Implications

The ruling sets a powerful precedent for corporate accountability in Spain. It demonstrates that even multinational corporations cannot indefinitely avoid environmental obligations through prolonged litigation. The Cogulló waste dump is considered one of Catalonia's largest ecological hazards, contaminating soil and water sources in the region.

Local communities have long complained about the environmental and health impacts of the salt mountain. The decision brings hope that the site will finally be restored, protecting both the ecosystem and public health.

Who Is Affected: Iberpotash, ICL, and Local Communities

Iberpotash, a subsidiary of ICL, which is majority-controlled by Israel Corporation, acquired the mining business from SEPI in 1998 for over 17 billion pesetas. Along with the assets, it inherited the growing waste problem. The company has argued that it should not bear full responsibility for waste generated before its ownership, but courts have consistently rejected this defense.

The residents of Sallent and surrounding areas have been the most directly affected. For years, they have lived with the visual blight and potential contamination from the salt mountain. The ancient Iberian settlement beneath the waste adds a cultural dimension to the loss. The background to this story is set out in Croatia Toxic Waste Scandal Sparks National Cleanup Calls. A related thread runs through Buried With Michael Sheen Review: Toxic Waste Scandal Exposed. Earlier coverage in Prince Harry Ordered to Pay £9.5m to Daily Mail Publisher shows how the argument developed.

What to Watch Next: Implementation and Appeals

While the TSJC ruling is final at the regional level, Iberpotash may still seek further appeals at the Spanish Supreme Court or European level. However, legal experts suggest that the company's options are limited. The focus will now shift to how the removal will be funded and executed, and whether ICL will comply fully. A closer look at the same subject appears in Buried With Michael Sheen: A Vital Look at Toxic Waste Scandal. Anyone following the wider picture can start with Meta Ordered to Remove Deepfakes: AI Video Safeguards Inadequate. The same theme surfaces in Google Ordered to Halt Finland Datacentre Construction, which takes a different angle.

The case also highlights the broader issue of legacy pollution in mining regions across Europe. Environmental groups are calling for stricter regulations to prevent similar situations in the future. Context on how this played out before sits in Mercadona Ordered to Rehire Employee After Surveillance and Dismissal. A companion piece, Catalonia's Political Shift: Puigdemont's Return Impact, approaches the same subject from another angle.

Key Takeaways

• Iberpotash must remove 45 million tons of toxic salt waste from El Cogulló hill.
• The TSJC rejected the company's final appeal, ending 20 years of litigation.
• The waste dump is one of Catalonia's biggest ecological risks.
• Local communities have fought for decades for cleanup and accountability.
• The ruling sets a precedent for corporate environmental responsibility.

Timeline of Events

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