Antonio Gozzi, president of the Italian iron and steel industry Federacciai, has stated that, according to the latest estimates, in 2013 Italian crude steel output may be similar to that of 2012, remaining at around 27 million metric tons, provided production at Taranto-based steelmaker Ilva continues.
Meanwhile, Mr. Gozzi highlighted that a major threat to the Italian steel industry is the strength of the euro against the US dollar. “2013 is expected to be in line with 2012, but crude steel output could be inferior to 27 million mt due to currency factors. During last year, exports provided a cushioning effect amid the crisis. For a country like Italy, the devaluation of the US dollar and the appreciation of the euro presents a huge risk,” Gozzi said.
It should be noted that Gozzi’s predictions do not consider the potential impact of the Ilva case. Gozzi said that, if the Ilva case is resolved, the steelmaker will produce something between 6 mililon metric tons and 8 million metric tons of crude steel in 2013. Otherwise, he said, of the 27 milion mt produced in Italy last year, the 8 million mt produced at Taranto will be missing from the 2013 total.