Ex Ilva steel plant faces uncertain future amid court delays

The future of the former Ilva steel plant in Taranto remains uncertain as Acciaierie d’Italia and Ilva in extraordinary administration await a decision from the Milan Court of Appeal. The company has filed a request for a stay of execution to prevent the scheduled shutdown of the ‘hot area’ (area a caldo) of the plant, which is currently slated to begin in late October.

Labor unions, including UGL Metalmeccanici, UGL Chimici, and Uilm, are calling for transparency and state intervention. Union leaders emphasize that Acciaierie d’Italia must reveal its strategic plans to safeguard plant safety and mitigate the social and economic impact on direct workers and the local supply chain.

Davide Sperti, national secretary of Uilm, has stated that Taranto can only remain a major European steel hub if the Italian state provides a clear environmental, productive, and employment framework, noting that the market alone cannot protect the general interest during the transition from traditional integrated cycles to decarbonized production.