In Serbia, the Chinese-owned HBIS Group Co Ltd steel plant in Smederevo has been linked to environmental and health concerns. The heavy smog and pollution from the plant are associated with rising cancer rates and respiratory issues among residents and workers. Smederevo-based NGO Pokret Tvrđava has long struggled to obtain pollution data from state agencies regarding the area around the steel factory, but without success. In August 2023, the organization filed a petition with the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg but the petition was dismissed.

Business & Human Rights Resource Centre invited Hesteel Group to respond. It did not.