With slogans such as “The Kutaisi Metallurgical Plant Is Killing Us,” “Ecology Is Non-Negotiable,” and “For Decent Work,” residents of Nikea, Sulkhan-Saba Orbeliani, and Tabukashvili Streets in Kutaisi held a protest on July 24, 2022, near the city’s metallurgical plant operated by Ambicon Steels Ltd., which processes scrap metal. They demanded that production be halted and filters installed on the plant’s smokestacks. Protesters wore masks inscribed with “We can’t breathe!”

According to participants, thick black smoke from the factory’s chimneys made life unbearable, and the strong odor — especially intense at night — indicated severe air pollution. Before taking to the streets, residents had shared photos and videos on social media showing smoke plumes around the factory and scenes from inside the facility. Protesters said these visuals were provided by employees working inside the plant. Residents also appealed to the Environmental Protection Inspectorate.

On July 28, the Department of Environmental Supervision suspended Ambicon Steels’ license for metallurgical production in Kutaisi.

That same month, due to continued emissions and foul smells, a local citizens’ group collected signatures and submitted a petition to several state agencies demanding the full suspension of the factory’s operations. However, two months later, the plant resumed production.

On October 23, residents protested again. In response, the plant’s representative, Fridon Kvinikadze, stated that the factory had resumed operations “in accordance with its technological cycle” and was using properly functioning air filtration systems.

Citizens, however, argued that the plant should be relocated away from residential areas, as simply suspending operations was not a long-term solution. They said no filter could safely neutralize emissions produced by metal scrap processing.

In June 2023, the factory’s license was once again revoked following reports by the Labor Inspection Service and the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture’s Environmental Supervision Department. Employees were laid off and denied pay, prompting them to organize their own protest.

Residents created a Facebook group titled “The Kutaisi Metallurgical Plant Is Killing Us”, where they claimed the factory continued operating at night and that the city was still plagued by a terrible smell. Their struggle continued through repeated calls to the environmental authorities.

Finally, on August 11, 2023, the Environmental Supervision Department announced that Ambicon Steels Ltd. had been stripped of its operating license due to multiple violations.