Blast furnace No. 2 at the Acciaierie d’Italia (ADI) steelworks in Taranto has restarted pig iron production 24 hours after an anomaly disrupted its operation on 23 August, sources at the company tell Kallanish.
The asset is now running and is currently the only active blast furnace at the site. BF No.1 has been seized by authorities, while BF No.4 is idled for maintenance works. The Milan Court of Appeal has previously ordered the shutdown of the hot end area by 26 October.
Authorities, meanwhile, are considering launching a new tender following the court ruling and remain in talks with Jindal Steel International for the sale of the company.
US investment firm Flacks Group has abandoned the race, a source close to the company confirms, and may submit a new offer for Taranto’s real estate assets. The Indian steelmaker is said to have renewed its interest in Taranto despite the court ruling.
Meanwhile, the Italian steelmakers’ association, Federacciai, has submitted a letter of interest for the Taranto steelworks.
A source close to the association confirms that 14 steelmakers have formed a consortium. This includes Acciaierie Bertoli Safau (ABS), Arvedi, Acciaierie Venete, Advanced Steel Solutions (Asonext group), Beltrame, Alfa Acciai, Compagnia Siderurgica Italiana, Duferco Travi e Profilati, Feralpi, Valsabbia, Lucchini RS, Marcegaglia, ORI Martin and Rubiera Special Steel.
Federacciai’s board authorised president Antonio Gozzi to submit a formal expression of interest. Gozzi briefed members on developments at the former Ilva site and the potential role of Italian steel companies in reviving operations of the area unaffected by the hot-end shutdown.
However, the expression of interest “is conditional on a series of enabling conditions being met”, Federacciai’s note says. Additional companies may join the consortium in the coming days.
The Federacciai expression interest is limited to the cold-rolling area and is non-binding but allows the group of steelmakers to access the financial and production figures. A source tells Kallanish the steelmakers could operate the cold rolling area using imported slabs, with one or more electric arc furnaces potentially built over time.
A separate source expresses scepticism toward both the Italian consortium’s interest and a proposal from Jindal, citing the significant investment required to revamp equipment, part of which is currently idled or outdated.
Italian president Giorgia Meloni, meanwhile, recently told the press the government will do anything in its power to save the steelmaker.
Authorities who met recently with workers unions are looking at leasing the cold end area, including the tube mill, and launching a revised tender that reflects the new situation.
Jindal Steel International is said to have sent a letter to the special commissioners saying its interest in Taranto has not changed following the recent ruling and is willing to accelerate the negotiations to reach a deal (see Kallanish passim).
