Kubon (Cambodia) Biotechnology Co., Ltd Ordered by Ministry of Environment to Shut Down Production Section Due to Ongoing Pollution of Kampong Smach Stream in Prey Nob District, Preah Sihanouk Province
The Ministry of Environment, through official letter No. 4822/0625 M.E., dated June 13, 2025, instructed Kubon (Cambodia) Biotechnology Co., Ltd to suspend its production activities until legal and regulatory corrections are made in accordance with established laws and principles. On June 23, 2025, a working group from the Ministry of Environment, joined by the District Governor of Prey Nob, the Commune Chiefs of Teuk L’ak, Teuk Thla, and Samaki, and representatives of affected citizens, carried out legal measures against the company. The company, which processes cow hides, is located in Ta Oung Thom Village, Samaki Commune, Prey Nob District, Preah Sihanouk Province.
Previously, Kubon (Cambodia) Biotechnology Co., Ltd discharged liquid waste into public water sources multiple times. On February 12, 2021, the Preah Sihanouk Provincial Department of Environment issued a letter instructing the company to make improvements and imposed a fine. On September 15, 2022, the Department issued a second improvement order and fine. On October 25, 2022, the company again discharged liquid waste into the stream. The Department responded with a third order and fine.
On December 18–19, 2024, the company was again found to have polluted the Kampong Smach stream and related water systems located near the company. For this case, the Ministry of Environment issued urgent measures via letter No. 8950/1224 M.E., dated December 31, 2024, ordering the company to suspend its liquid waste discharge activities, imposing international-level penalties, and requiring compensation for environmental damages.
As of June 28, 2025, polluted wastewater was again seen flowing into the stream. On June 29, 2025, the Ministry’s working group conducted a direct inspection. Recently, several local families reported that the company had not complied with previous legal measures and continued to discharge untreated wastewater, causing pollution in the Kampong Smach stream area.
The Ministry of Environment has therefore decided to shut down the production section of Kubon (Cambodia) Biotechnology Co., Ltd and Cambodian Noble Taste Food Co., Ltd, both of which failed to comply with the law and continued to discharge wastewater that affected Kampong Smach and Pheav Streams in Samaki, Teuk L’ak, and Teuk Thla Communes, Prey Nob District, Preah Sihanouk Province. On June 23, 2025, the Ministry issued shutdown notices to the owners and company representatives, with the presence of the Deputy District Governor of Prey Nob, the three Commune Chiefs, and affected local citizens.
The Ministry of Environment has now officially ordered the production section of Kubon (Cambodia) Biotechnology Co., Ltd to close until legal and regulatory corrections are made. This decision is based on:
Articles 156, 287, 289, and 290 of the Law on Environmental Protection and Natural Resource Management
Article 6 of Sub-Decree No. 27 on Water Pollution Control
Article 4 (amended) of Sub-Decree No. 103 amending Articles 4, 9, 11, 17 and Annexes 2, 3, 4, 5 of Sub-Decree No. 27 on Water Pollution Control
Notification No. 590 SCN.DOB dated April 8, 2025, from the Office of the Council of Ministers
The high-level guidance of Samdech Moha Bovorteapdei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia
In addition, the company is required to:
Bear international-level penalties
Compensate for damages caused
Restore the affected environment
Implement technical measures in compliance with legal standards
If the company fails to comply with these orders, the Ministry of Environment will proceed with permanent closure in accordance with the law and official procedures.
