Sources in the Belgian press have named NLMK, SSAB and Salzgitter as the three bidders for ArcelorMittal’s Belgian finishing lines that are up for sale as a pre-condition for the acquisition of Ilva.
Parties had until the beginning of this week to express their interest in the two galvanising lines in Flemalle and the tinning unit of Tilleurs, as reported by Kallanish.
Salzgitter has confirmed the bid for the Belgian assets, together with a bid for the finishing lines in Dudelange, Luxembourg, which are also being disposed of by ArcelorMittal. “The facilities in question are essentially two cold rolling lines, as well as facilities for tinning, hot-dip galvanizing and the electrolytic galvanization of steel strip,” Salzgitter explains.
The Luxembourg press has reported that another company prepared a bid for the Dudelange lines.
It is understood the north-western European assets’ sale to new owners is set to be concluded by the end of this year. The process is progressing despite the confirmed delay in the completion of the acquisition by ArcelorMittal of Ilva.