The plant formerly known as Ilva in Taranto in southern Italy may shut down in around two months’ time. Speaking on June 26, ArcelorMittal Europe Flat Products CEO Geert Van Poelvoorde stated, “If the government cannot find a solution, the plant will close on September 6.”. ArcelorMittal is currently asking the Italian government to change the current text of a law decree known as the "Crescita law decree" that will enter into force on September 6 and will cancel ArcelorMittal Italia's immunity from penal proceedings concerning pollution.
“Under these circumstances, we can't continue... We still have two months, I hope the Italian government finds a solution. We are ready to discuss,” said Van Poelvoorde. ArcelorMittal claims that the provision concerning the Taranto plant would impair its ability to operate the plant while implementing the environmental plan approved by the Italian government in September 2017. According to ArcelorMittal, the Taranto plant cannot be operated without legal protection until the environmental plan is implemented, because ArcelorMittal cannot risk incurring liability for issues that it did not create.
Later on the same day, sources from the Italian Ministry of Economic Development said a meeting between minister Luigi Di Maio and ArcelorMittal Italia CEO Matthieu Jehl has been scheduled for July 4.