Soldiers from the Guardia di Finanza of Taranto seized Enel's thermoelectric plant in Cerano di Tuturano (Brindisi) and the Cementir plant in Taranto, as well as some Ilva company compendiums. Provisional faculty of use has been arranged for all sites for a term not exceeding 60 days. A preventive seizure for the equivalent of over half a billion euros for unfair profit against Enel Produzione spa is also being carried out.
The measures were issued in the context of an investigation by the DDA of Lecce into an alleged illicit waste trafficking. The investigation is directed by the deputy prosecutor Alessio Coccioli. The provision contested the quality of the type of ashes arriving at Cementir of Taranto to produce cement, found not to be in line with the law.
Enel Produzione announced in a note that it had learned "of the seizure orders issued this morning against Cementir and Ilva, which also affected the Brindisi Cerano plant" of the electricity group.
The provisions relating to the Enel Produzione plant, the note specifies, "concern the use of ashes in the context of secondary production processes".
Enel Produzione "confides that during the investigation it will be able to demonstrate the correctness of its production processes and will lend any useful collaboration to the investigating authorities".
The seizure order, concludes the note, "does not affect the correct operation of the plant, in compliance with provisions consistent with the operating model of Enel Produzione".
Cementir Holding also intervened in the evening to recall that “Cementir Italia noted that it had regularly purchased coal ashes for the Taranto plant, the use of which, moreover entirely marginal, ceased entirely at the beginning of 2016. As regards the slag, its use in the production of cement is permitted and governed by an Integrated Environmental Authorisation, which Cementir Italia has always complied with”.
Updated at 20.22pm on Thursday 28th September
