BULGARIA –   The Ministry of Environment and Water has ordered the shutdown of a Kronospan Bulgaria facility in the Cholakovtsi district of Veliko Tarnovo for failing to comply with environmental legislation, officials announced.

Kronospan, a global producer of wood-based panels with operations in more than 40 countries, was sanctioned after inspectors found that a substrate cutting line was operating without authorization and outside the conditions of its environmental permit.

The Regional Inspectorate for Environment and Water sealed the line’s air supply valve following the order.

Environment Minister Manol Genov, who visited Veliko Tarnovo earlier this week, said the measure aims to prevent air pollution and protect public health. Previous administrative actions, including mandatory recommendations, had failed to bring the company into compliance.

The facility’s operations will remain suspended until the company updates its integrated environmental permit in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act.