A Walsall company is due to appear before magistrates after it allegedly spilled around 4,000 litres of toxic chemicals into the canal in 2024.
Anochrome Limited on Reservoir Place was identified as the source of the cyanide spill on August 12, leading to the closure of a 12-mile stretch of the waterway.
Following the spill, a major incident was declared in an attempt to contain the hazard.
The company is now listed to appear at Dudley Magistrates’ Court on March 3, 2027, facing charges under Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016.
Anochrome is accused of causing water discharge activity, namely a discharge of zinc cyanide, into the Walsall Canal.
The company faces a second charge that, between December, 16, 2004, and August, 13, 2024, it did not comply with an environmental permit condition by failing to keep the pipework used to transport zinc cyanide in good working condition.
Anochrome is one of the largest electroplating and coatings specialists in the UK, processing tens of millions of components every week and deals predominantly with automotive suppliers.
In February 2025, it announced it was investing £2.3million into its Walsall site which would boost production capacity by at least five per cent.
By Rachel Alexander | Local Democracy Reporting Service
50,000 residents affected by bin change blunder
Andy Burnham dementia pledge welcomed
Dementia pilot helps cut waiting times
Complaints against councillors up as new pledge considered
Flat plan rejected for ‘looking like a prison’
