Furnaces at ex-ILVA steelworks have been shut down

The blast furnaces at the former IILVA steelworks in Taranto have been fully shut down following a court ruling due to health concerns. The shutdown was initiated after the Supreme Court rejected appeals against the closure of the facility's hot area, which was ordered by a Milan court in July. The court mandated that operations cease unless asbestos is removed and emissions are controlled. The future of the plant and its decarbonization plan is uncertain, affecting thousands of jobs. A consortium interested in the plant's cold-rolled production area has withdrawn its bid, while other groups have shown interest in purchasing the facility. The Italian government may consider state involvement due to the plant's strategic significance.