ArcelorMittal Italia has announced to unions this week that the hot strip mill no.1 will be restarted on 10-13 March. Unions welcome the move but nevertheless note that uncertainty remains over future industrial plans.
The hot strip mill no.1 at the site has been idled for approximately eight months. It will be restarted for a period of two weeks after which an assessment on the order book will be made. Strip mill no.2 has been operating normally and has increased its output since the beginning of February.
The restart of the strip mill will come weeks after the relaunch of production at the site’s plate line, confirmed at the beginning of February. Altogether, these restarts will bring back to work from temporary layoffs over 600 workers, Kallanish notes.
ArcelorMittal Italia is still negotiating with Italian authorities over the future of the former Ilva; sources in Italy say an agreement is getting closer.
