Acciaierie d’Italia (ADI)’s trade unions are seeking a meeting with the government to address the troubles the company is going through, Kallanish learns from a Fim Fiom Uilm union source.
“ADI is experiencing a phase of abandonment and dangerous decline destined in a very short time to deliver it to an irreversible state of shutdown, with very serious occupational as well as industrial consequences. This is without considering the numerous incidents that occur daily in the workplace and which put at risk the safety of workers,” the union says in a note.
Despite government funding, ADI management is not keeping any of the commitments made on production volumes and investments, or paying contractors and starting renovations on long-idled blast furnace no.5 at Taranto, the union says.
Unions representing ADI’s subsidiary in Cornigliano, near Genoa, also warn of a possible production shutdown due to a lack of maintenance work, which is causing accidents and the need for new components for the outdated equipment.
Earlier this year, the Italian finance ministry authorised the payment of €680 million ($724m) to ADI, the joint venture between state company Invitalia and ArcelorMittal. This year, the plant in Genoa should see a revamping of the tinplate re-rolling lines, while Novi Ligure will see a revamp of the coating line. ADI will also boost the Racconigi warehouses’ automation. In the second half of 2023, the steelmaker also vowed to start the refurbishment of BF no.5 and begin construction of an electric arc furnace (see Kallanish 1 February).
The company confirmed its forecast of producing at least 4 million tonnes at its Taranto steelworks in 2023, with the aim of reaching 5mt in 2024. Sources who spoke to Kallanish however believe it will reach about half of that amount.
ADI did not comment before press deadline.
Natalia Capra France
