Riva to shut down production in Italy

Italian steelmaker and longs’ producer Riva Acciaio is shutting down production at its steelworks Italy, Kallanish learns from trade union sources.

The company will carry out a cleaning process on its equipment to fight the spread of coronavirus. “This follows a request from workers who have concerns about catching the virus because of the inevitable proximity with other workers despite the instructions from the Italian ministry of health having been carefully applied by the company,” the source says. He adds that Riva will temporarily lay off workers this week until 23 March.

This adds to a long list of Italian long producers who have halted production and are temporarily laying off workers. Rebar makers Iro, Alfa Acciai, Feralpi and Valsabbia have closed their steelworks together with sections’ producers Lucchini RS and Duferdofin-Nucor, Kallanish notes.