Italian steel trade association Assofermet is asking the government for complete transparency in the sale tender process for Acciaierie d’Italia (ADI). All eyes are now on the imminent court hearing, set for 9 September, which will review the Milan Court of Appeal ruling which imposes the shutdown of ADI’s hot end area by 28 October, Kallanish learns from the association.
According to an Assofermet note, the conditions for participation in the Italian consortium should be public and accessible in order to protect all potentially interested parties. This is so the industrial relaunch of the Taranto steelworks can represent a strategic opportunity for the entire supply chain, including the downstream sector represented by the association.
Assofermet says it wishes to be involved in and informed about the consortium initiative formalised by Federacciai and 14 steelmakers in August, given the potential implications for its members.
“The association shares the concerns expressed by various parties over the future of the hot end area under ADI in special administration, given the inevitable consequences for the supply chain and the outcome of the ongoing tender process,” the note says.
It adds that production continuity at the Taranto steelworks and the protection of employment remain a priority.
Additionally, it says ADI could once again become a strategic supplier for its member companies, now more than ever, given the recent tightening of import restrictions on steel from non-EU countries.
ADI’s special commissioners have filed a request to obtain an urgent suspension of the Milan Court of Appeal ruling, and the hearing will decide the future of the plant’s primary steelmaking.
Meanwhile, the Italian government is financially guaranteeing the production and operational continuity of the Taranto steelworks as the search for a new owner continues.
Authorities remain in talks with Jindal Steel International and Federacciai consortium.
