Two Bids Submitted for Ex-Ilva Steel Plants as Arvedi Enters Race

Two binding offers have been submitted for the acquisition of the entire business complexes belonging to the former Ilva steel plants, following the conclusion of the bidding deadline. The proposals were filed by Indian group Jindal and Italian steelmaker Arvedi, which decided to proceed independently after previously participating in a broader Italian industrial consortium.

Special commissioners overseeing Acciaierie d'Italia and Ilva under extraordinary administration confirmed that the bids arrived within the scheduled timeframe. The commissioners noted that both proposals cover the purchase of all active business complexes and announced that they will examine the documentation to evaluate completeness and compliance with the tender requirements.

Finarvedi, the financial holding company of the Arvedi group, conditioned its purchase proposal on the approval of local institutions and the community of Taranto. In an official statement, the company explained that its bid is subordinated to the acceptance of its industrial, environmental, occupational, and social plans by the local population and authorities, warning that without this local backing, moving forward will not be possible.

Led by 89-year-old entrepreneur Giovanni Arvedi, the Cremona-based company outlined a phased operational plan. The proposal initially sets employment at 3,000 workers, followed by the construction of an electric arc furnace and a subsequent second furnace with the rehiring of an additional 2,000 employees. Antonio Gozzi, vice president of Confindustria and president of Federacciai, voiced strong support for the initiative, calling it a valuable strategic move for national steel decarbonization.

Metalworker unions—including Fim, Fiom, and Uilm—responded to the developments by urging the government to convene an urgent meeting at Palazzo Chigi. Labor leaders emphasized the necessity of reviewing the detailed contents of both proposals, including planned investments, production perspectives for individual facilities, implementation timelines, and job security guarantees for direct employees and auxiliary workers alike.

Samuele Lodi, leader of Fiom-Cgil, stressed that while corporate nationality does not make a difference, having a partner committed to reviving domestic steel production is essential. Lodi and other union representatives maintained that no project, whether domestic or foreign, can succeed independently without direct state participation in the ownership structure and a clear public roadmap.

Uilm leader Davide Sperti and Fim-Cisl leader Ferdinando Uliano echoed these sentiments, noting that the history of the Ilva plant involves severe challenges and past administrative failures. The unions insisted that transparency, worker involvement, and state responsibility are mandatory requirements to protect the future of the workforce and the local community.