Acciaierie d’Italia, who took over the former ILVA steel group, has developed a proposal for a “green steel” transition project in partnership with Fincantieri and Paul Wurth. The company plans to execute sustainable production at its steel plant at Taranto in southern Italy. Acciaierie d’Italia’s proposal aims to reduce emissions beyond current regulations.
Giancarlo Giorgetti, the Industry Minister in Italy, acknowledged discussions on an industrial project to clean up and boost the site’s production.
The Taranto steel site has been plagued with accusations of environmental pollution leading to severe penalties and legal proceedings to shut down the plant. However, Italy’s highest administrative court, or Council of State, recently canceled the regional administrative court’s ruling that originated in Lecce calling for a halt in operations allowing Acciaierie d’Italia to go ahead with its transition plans.
ILVA steelworks former owners and a public official in the region were given jail sentences for flouting environmental regulations on May 31 this year.
The former ILVA plant is one of Europe’s largest steelworks and is southern Italy’s largest employer. The Italian State signed an industrial plan in December 2020. ArcelorMittal and Invitalia partnered to form Acciaierie d’Italia in April 2021.