A meeting took place today at the Mise on the fate of Ilva: around the table, together with the deputy minister Teresa Bellanova, were the representatives of Arcelor Mitta and the general secretaries of the Fim, Fiom, Uim unions. The interview was interlocutory, but by the end of the month it should be understood whether it will be possible to close the deal by February.
A visit to the Ghent plants in Belgium is scheduled for Monday 15 and 16 January, while the ministerial table at the Mise will resume on 17 January for comparison on the Genoa-Cornigliano site.
The company illustrated the strategies and prospects of the steel industry on a global level and the role of Ilva in the Group's strategy. The steel industry is undergoing profound changes, in terms of global production and technological reorganization - the company stated - it remains a highly competitive sector that requires continuous improvements to remain on the market. This is why Arcelor Mittal continues to invest to increase the Group's productivity.
The demand for crude steel in the world remains below pre-crisis levels, with China alone producing half of global steel production and although it is reducing production capacity, it is increasing its competitive capacity.
Today - continued the company - 25% of global steel production is not competitive, this requires for Europe, which does not have raw materials, the ability to reduce transformation costs through investments in research and development and advanced technologies of transformation. As a Group we own important patents and innovative productions in Europe both in the automotive, alternative energy and nautical sectors.
As far as Ilva is concerned - the company finally stated - the goal is to bring production to full capacity in the shortest possible time.
"The important information provided by the company - commented the general secretary of the Fim Cisl Marco Bentivogli - offer an important general picture of the steel sector at a global and continental level, useful for understanding how important the steel game is for a manufacturing country as ours. On the issues we discussed, in particular those relating to China's production overcapacity, we had some time ago set up a ministerial table on steel, finding points of convergence between the Government, the Union, Federacciai, the Customs Authority, especially on the aspects concerning the anti-dumping and steel quality certification in Europe. It would be useful today to reactivate that table and work to make the proposals operational".
Read also
Ilva, final test of a bad Italian story
Bellanova: “Ilva, no to muscle tests. We need to turn the page"
