President of the Italian federation of steel companies Federacciai, Antonio Gozzi, along with the association’s vice presidents, Mario Caldonazzo (Arvedi), Alessandro Banzato (Acciaierie Venete), Giuseppe Pasini (Feralpi), and Federico Pittini (Ferriere Nord), have met with Italy’s minister of enterprises and made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, to discuss the challenges facing the Italian electrometallurgical sector. Also, present was Federacciai’s general director Flavio Bregant.
Despite being the European leader in decarbonization and aiming to become the world leader by 2030, the Italian steel industry faces several issues. Among these are high energy costs and a budget for compensating indirect costs of the ETS system that is lower than that of European competitors, compromising the sustainability of Italian companies. Another challenge is the shortage of scrap metal, considered essential for production. Federacciai has requested that scrap metal be recognized as a strategic raw material and emphasized the need to limit exports to countries not adhering to the Kyoto Protocol.
Minister Urso acknowledged the importance of the Italian steel industry and promised government support to improve the sector's global competitiveness. "Even at the European level, there is a clear issue of market protection," commented Federacciai president Antonio Gozzi. "Europe remains extremely permeable to imports, including those from subsidized industrial systems that engage in unfair competition with our production. The goal of strategic security is also pursued by bringing industry, especially steel, back to the center of the European agenda. Federacciai will continue to work with institutions to ensure the competitiveness and sustainable growth of the sector."