# Ilva plant shutdown, investment bids, and legal challenges > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/ilva-steel-plant-legal-actions-in-taranto > Updated: 2026-09-13T21:31:56.000Z. Sources: 131. Developments: 17. In late July 2026, the Milan Court of Appeal ordered the closure of the “hot zone” at the former Ilva plant in Taranto within 90 days due to asbestos and fine-dust emissions. While Acciaierie d’Italia appeals the ruling to the Supreme Court, the shutdown remains enforceable for 28 October. The industrial transition is further complicated by the imminent exhaustion of the company’s bridge loan in October. As the October 28 deadline approaches, Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy Adolfo Urso confirmed that two binding offers are currently on the table. One offer comes from Jindal, which has updated its proposal following the Court of Appeal’s decision. Additionally, Federacciaio, representing 14 primary Italian companies, has submitted an expression of interest and is evaluating whether to convert it into a binding offer. Recent developments suggest that a group of Italian steel companies may submit a formal offer in early October. While the Italian government has expressed a willingness to support interested parties, any official state participation remains contingent upon the formal presentation of these offers. Further discussions regarding the plant are expected to take place during upcoming meetings at Palazzo Chigi. Acciaierie d’Italia has filed an extraordinary appeal with the Court of Cassation to challenge the shutdown order. The company’s legal team argues that the Milan Court of Appeal’s decision contradicts a previous lower court ruling. Meanwhile, Milan prosecutors have launched a criminal investigation into Acciaierie d’Italia for alleged fraudulent bankruptcy and false accounting, with former president and CEO Lucia Morselli under investigation for alleged asset-stripping. ## Claims - Italian steel production grew 3.7% in 2025. (disputed by 3 sources) - Italian steel production increased 6.1% year‑on‑year in June 2026. (disputed by 3 sources) - Federacciai has submitted a manifestation of interest for the former Ilva plants. (corroborated by 11 sources) - The Milan Court of Appeal ordered the shutdown of the Taranto site's hot area starting October 28 due to high emissions and asbestos. (corroborated by 8 sources) - Ilva, Acciaierie d’Italia and Acciaierie d’Italia Holding are under extraordinary administration. (corroborated by 6 sources) - More than 2,000 kilograms of asbestos remain in the plant’s cowper units after 6,780 kilograms have already been removed. (corroborated by 6 sources) - Jindal presented an updated proposal for the entire ex‑Ilva perimeter that accounts for the hot‑zone closure. (corroborated by 6 sources) - Italian industrial groups are discussing a cordata to rescue the ex‑Ilva steel plant and protect roughly 10,800 jobs. (corroborated by 6 sources) - The Italian government confirmed an additional €100 million loan tranche to support the plant’s operational continuity. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The court decision overturns the conditions of the pending sale of the plant to a private investor, changing the terms of the transaction. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Metalworkers’ unions (FIM, FIOM, UILM, USB) called an eight‑hour strike across all ex Ilva sites. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Minister Adolfo Urso said the hot‑zone closure must be implemented and that the decision has been entered into the data‑room. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Milan prosecutors have opened a new investigation into the management of Acciaierie d’Italia. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Lucia Morselli, former president and CEO of ArcelorMittal Italia and Acciaierie d’Italia, is under investigation for fraudulent bankruptcy. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The plant’s emissions are linked to a four‑fold higher incidence of malignant pleural tumours (mesothelioma) in Taranto and Statte. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Antonio Gozzi stated there is sufficient time to rewrite the tender for the ex-Ilva plants. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Supply chain companies in Taranto are preparing for collective redundancies due to the shutdown of the hot area. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The previous deadline of 23 August 2026 for asbestos removal has been revoked, and no further extensions are allowed. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Local and national authorities set up a technical table at MIMIT in August to draft an extraordinary plan for the plant’s future. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Workers at the ex Ilva plant in Novi Ligure declared a permanent state of agitation on 30 July. (corroborated by 3 sources) - SRI Global Limited Holding (52% owned by Giulio Gallazzi) and Finvacchi (48% owned by Bernardo Vacchi) submitted a non‑binding interest to acquire the entire TISG group. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Around 170 ha of land – 140 ha already remediated – are available for new investment, plus 450 ha from the Port Authority and over 350 ha of former military sites. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The investment plan includes 17 projects worth more than €2 billion across at least eight sectors. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Italy operates 26 electric furnaces in its steel plants. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Nearly 90% of Italian steel is produced in electric furnaces fed by scrap. (corroborated by 3 sources) - A program agreement with Arvedi is being implemented in Terni. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Intents with Metinvest and Danieli are underway in Piombino. (corroborated by 3 sources) - EU measures protecting the steel market from global overcapacity entered into force on 1 July. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The extraordinary administration of Acciaierie d'Italia faces the imminent exhaustion of its bridge loan in October. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Extraordinary commissioners have filed a civil claim for 7 billion euros in damages against ArcelorMittal. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Management is accused of asset stripping and false accounting intended to weaken the steel group in favor of ArcelorMittal. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Defense lawyers claim Lucia Morselli acted with integrity and worked to protect the company's interests. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Acciaierie d'Italia has filed an extraordinary appeal with the Court of Cassation. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The Milan Court of Appeal ordered the shutdown of the ex-Ilva hot area in Taranto within 90 days due to pollution and health concerns. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The company argues the Court of Appeal replaced the original Tribunal's decision, which would have allowed corrective measures to avoid suspension. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Ilva in extraordinary administration, the owner of the plants, has already filed a separate appeal to the Court of Cassation. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The original Tribunal ruling required the redefinition of environmental authorizations by August 24, 2026, to avoid production suspension. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The legal proceedings were initiated by the Genitori Tarantini association and a group of Taranto citizens citing health concerns. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Jindal Steel International expressed readiness to acquire the entire ex Ilva plant, including hot and cold areas. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Italian Sea Group reported 2025 revenue of €295.1 million, a 27% decline from 2024. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Italian Sea Group posted a net loss of €170.9 million in 2025. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The rescue plan aims to preserve TISG’s brands Admiral, Tecnomar and Perini Navie Picchiotti and maintain employment in Italy. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The acquisition is subject to due‑diligence and approval by the Florence bankruptcy court overseeing the article‑44 restructuring procedure. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Trade unions (FIOM, FIM‑CISL, UIL) warned that without swift action the plant’s collapse could jeopardise thousands of jobs and public health. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The government plans to develop an extraordinary re‑industrialisation plan for Taranto. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The hot‑zone closure decision has been inserted into the data room for bidders. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Italian consortium is interested in assets downstream of the blooms, including hot rolling mills, but not the blast furnaces or continuous casting steelworks. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Milan investigation involves acquiring corporate documents and coordinating with the Taranto Prosecutor's Office. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Investor Jindal Steel is considering relaunching the whole site, including a new carbon‑free furnace. (single source) - The shutdown could affect up to 20 000 metalworkers in the Taranto area. (single source) - The Italian government announced a decree to support Ilva's maintenance and capacity increase. (single source) - Approximately 20,000 workers are employed directly or indirectly at the ex-Ilva plant. (single source) - Jindal intends to acquire the hot area of the plant and plans to build an electric furnace with public funds. (single source) - Arvedi is interested only in the cold area of the ex-Ilva plant. (single source) - Socialismo XXI demanded immediate job and income protections for the 20,000 workers. (single source) - Workers blocked the state highway near the ex-Ilva plant in protest. (single source) - The ex-Ilva plant has caused significant environmental pollution and health problems for workers and residents of Taranto. (single source) - The Italian government will meet on 4 August at Palazzo Chigi to discuss the ex-Ilva issue. (single source) - The board proposed a capital increase of up to €140 million via ordinary shares. (single source) - The board also proposed issuing participatory financial instruments worth up to €150 million. (single source) - Sanlorenzo has expressed support for a consortium that may bid for TISG assets. (single source) - The government will consider a fast‑track authorisation procedure similar to article 13 to accelerate investment implementation. (single source) - Minister Adolfo Urso has proposed an extraordinary plan for Taranto to address the social and productive crisis. (single source) - Legal teams for Acciaierie d'Italia are preparing an appeal to the Supreme Court against the Milan Court of Appeal's decision. (single source) - The manifestation of interest is described as exclusively preliminary and non-binding. (single source) - Minister Adolfo Urso expressed confidence in the possibility of rescuing the former Ilva plants through cooperation. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-13: Italy regional news: infrastructure, urban projects, and diplomatic updates A collection of regional news from Italy covering infrastructure projects in Maratea and Catania, urban revitalization in Crotone and Livorno, and diplomatic calls for nuclear disarmament. 22 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/livorno-inaugurates-new-parking-area-for-scooters-and-cars ### 2026-08-31: Acciaierie d'Italia appeals Milan court order to stop ex-Ilva production Acciaierie d'Italia has appealed to Italy's Court of Cassation against a Milan Court of Appeal order to shut down the ex-Ilva hot area in Taranto within 90 days due to health and pollution concerns. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/acciaierie-ditalia-appeals-order-to-halt-ex-ilva-steel-production ### 2026-08-28: Ex Ilva steel plant faces October 28 deadline for hot area closure Minister Adolfo Urso announced that the ex Ilva steel plant's hot area must close by October 28, noting two binding offers for the site, including an updated proposal from Jindal. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ex-ilva-steel-plant-faces-october-28-deadline-for-hot-area-closure ### 2026-08-27: Italian officials discuss ex Ilva reconversion and industrial competitiveness Italian Labor Minister Marina Calderone and industry experts discussed the industrial reconversion of the ex Ilva plant, emphasizing job protection, energy costs, and the need for new entrepreneurial growth. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italian-officials-discuss-ex-ilva-reconversion-and-industrial-competitiveness ### 2026-08-26: Lucia Morselli under investigation for fraudulent bankruptcy at ex-Ilva Milan prosecutors are investigating former Acciaierie d’Italia CEO Lucia Morselli for fraudulent bankruptcy and false accounting related to the management of the former Ilva steelworks. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ex-ilva-steel-plant-crisis-faces-new-fraud-investigation ### 2026-08-21: Eusider seeks to join Italian consortium for ex Ilva acquisition Eusider has expressed interest in joining a 14-company Italian consortium led by Federacciai to acquire the former Ilva steel plants, citing strategic importance for national manufacturing. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eusider-seeks-to-join-italian-consortium-for-ex-ilva-acquisition ### 2026-08-18: Federacciai submits interest in former Ilva assets Federacciai and a consortium of 14 Italian steel companies have submitted a preliminary interest to acquire the former Ilva assets, excluding the Taranto hot area due to environmental and legal issues. 16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/federacciai-submits-interest-for-former-ilva-steel-plants ### 2026-08-15: Ilva Taranto appeals court order to shut down 'hot area Ilva in amministrazione straordinaria has appealed to Italy's Supreme Court against a court order to shut down the Taranto steel plant's 'hot area' by October 28 due to asbestos and pollution concerns. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ilva-taranto-appeals-court-order-to-shut-down-hot-area ### 2026-08-10: Federacciai leads Italian steel consortium bid for ex-Ilva plants A consortium of Italian steel companies, led by Federacciai, is preparing a bid for the ex-Ilva plants in Taranto, amid rising fears of mass layoffs following a court-ordered production shutdown. 15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/federacciai-explores-italian-consortium-to-relaunch-ex-ilva-plants ### 2026-08-09: Taranto Democratic Party activist calls for unified stance on ex-Ilva A Democratic Party activist in Taranto is calling for a unified official party stance regarding the future of the ex-Ilva industrial site and the high-temperature area. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taranto-democratic-party-activist-calls-for-unified-stance-on-ex-ilva ### 2026-08-08: Ex-Ilva: Federacciai evaluates proposal amid rising steel production Italian companies, led by Federacciai, are evaluating a proposal for the ex-Ilva plant as steel production grows and political pressure mounts over decarbonization and job security. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italian-steel-minister-urso-signals-production-growth-and-new-federacciai-proposal ### 2026-08-04: Taranto ex-Ilva steel plant to cut output and seek state aid for electric furnace transition Antonio Decaro urges cutting ex‑Ilva output to 2‑3 Mt and state support for electric furnace conversion, citing a Milan court ruling and a secret decarbonisation dossier. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taranto-ex-ilva-steel-plant-to-cut-output-and-seek-state-aid-for-electric-furnace-transition ### 2026-08-04: Italy's ex-Ilva steel plant: hot‑zone closure and €2 bn investment plan Italy’s ex‑Ilva hot‑zone will close within 90 days; 170 ha of land and €2 bn of projects are ready, while a “cordata italiana” of firms seeks to protect ~10,800 jobs. 24 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italian-steel-giant-ex-ilva-and-yacht-maker-the-italian-sea-group-seek-rescue-deals ### 2026-08-02: Taranto ex-Ilva closure sparks worker protests and calls for job protections Milan court orders closure of ex‑Ilva’s hot zone; 20,000 workers protest, demand job safeguards and a clean‑energy transition, with investors Jindal and Arvedi showing interest. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taranto-ex-ilva-plant-future-debated-as-groups-call-for-job-protections ### 2026-07-31: Italian steel giant Ex Ilva faces union agitation and 90‑day hot‑area shutdown Ex Ilva workers declared permanent agitation; a court ordered the hot‑area shut in 90 days, affecting up to 20 000 jobs. Unions plan an 8‑hour strike on 3 August and a technical table on 4 August, while Jindal 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italian-steelmaker-ilva-faces-shutdown-and-union-strike-in-taranto ### 2026-07-27: Taranto’s Ex Ilva Steel Plant Ordered to Shut Hot Zone Within 90 Days Over Asbestos and Dust Milan court orders shutdown of ex Ilva’s hot zone within 90 days over asbestos and dust, prompting strikes, a govt‑led technical table and a €100 m loan to address the plant’s future. 36 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ilva-steel-plant-in-taranto-ordered-to-shut-for-90-days-over-asbestos-and-dust ### 2026-07-24: Taranto's ex Ilva steel plant ordered to halt waste management due to lacking financial guarantees Italy's Ministry of Environment ordered ex Ilva in Taranto to suspend waste management from 20‑31 Aug 2026 over missing financial guarantees, with extensions possible if not resolved. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tarantos-ex-ilva-steel-plant-ordered-to-halt-waste-management-due-to-lacking-financial-guarantees --- Cite as: Ilva plant shutdown, investment bids, and legal challenges. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/ilva-steel-plant-legal-actions-in-taranto