Alessandro Banzato will remain at the helm of Federacciai, the Italian steel producers' association, until 2022. The news was given today at the end of the annual Federacciai Assembly, held in private form and remotely. Banzato's mandate has been renewed for the two-year period 2020-2022.
"I am very honored that the steel entrepreneurs have renewed their trust today," said Banzato, who is also president and CEO of Italian steelmaker Acciaierie Venete. "I am equally aware of the responsibilities that I find facing in my role, especially in this particular historical period, in defense of one of the most important and strategic sectors for our economy."
Banzato also commented on the state of the national steel industry by speaking of "a small recovery" in the comparison between the latest production data and those recorded in the most critical months of the lockdown (March and April). Nonetheless, he noted, "We are still experiencing a moment of great uncertainty. Our outlet markets, primarily cars and construction, are still in extreme difficulty with very worrying numbers. Saying today whether we will experience a more substantial recovery in the coming months or not is difficult, also because the effects of the various measures implemented by the government are still not seen," he concluded.
Federacciai recalled that in the first five months of the year, Italian crude steel production amounted to about 8.3 million mt, recording a drop of 21% compared to the same period of 2019. In March and April the output collapsed by 40% and 42.5% respectively, while in May, the first month of easing of anti-COVID measures, it fell by 16.3%, all year on year.