October 30, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — SteelAsia Manufacturing Corp. is opposing a government order to take custody of containers allegedly containing hazardous zinc, denying claims linking the firm to the shipment.
The company is also eyeing legal action to protect its interests.
In a statement, SteelAsia said it strongly rejects the order of the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) to take custody of 23 containers allegedly containing hazardous zinc dust exported by Zannwann International Trading Corp.
“This is not our shipment,” SteelAsia said.
It also said the PNRI order would bring irreparable harm to the Calaca industrial zone, including economic dislocation, thousands of job losses and hampered progress.
Last month, Indonesia denied the entry of the 23 containers and ordered its return to the Philippines.
An initial investigation showed that the containers originated from Zannwann International Trading Corp., a Chinese trading firm based in Meycauayan, Bulacan.
SteelAsia said that PNRI, however, tagged the company as the source of the alleged radioactive materials, while clearing Zannwann of responsibility.
It said this was done without following international nuclear safety protocols or conducting the required scientific tests.
PNRI also ordered SteelAsia to entomb the 23 containers in its plant in Calaca, Batangas.
If there is threat of radioactivity, SteelAsia said this move potentially endangers the community and other corporate locators in the industrial zone.
The company also emphasized that it has no technical capability, facilities or training to handle radioactive waste.
“Only PNRI is legally mandated to perform this function under Philippine law,” SteelAsia said.
The company stressed that steel manufacturing does not use and therefore, does not produce radioactive materials.
“The company manufactures and exports reinforced steel bars, not zinc dust, which is merely a by-product of its production process,” SteelAsia said.
It said that all scrap metals for melting and production are tested for radioactivity and none had ever tested positive.
Zannwann, based on information from PNRI itself, also purchased zinc dust from other steel companies, including Cathay Pacific Steel and Real Steel yet only SteelAsia is being unfairly singled out by PNRI despite the absence of any scientific or factual basis, the company said.
SteelAsia has voluntarily suspended the operations of its Calaca scrap recycling plant out of caution, even as it rejected claims of presence of radioactive material in the facility.
“The company is taking legal steps to protect its interests and is continuing to pursue all remedies available under the law,” SteelAsia said.
To help address the issues, SteelAsia also said it is open to engaging international experts from Japan and Western countries given their extensive experience in managing radiation.
