Production problems at ILVA
The Italian integrated steel producer ILVA is facing the risk of a close down at its Cornigliano blast furnace. The problem is deriving from the local authorities claiming that the furnace is causing environmental pollution to the surroundings. The authorities are not allowing ILVA's suggestion to replace the blast furnace with an electric arc furnace either. The closure of furnace at Cornigliano will undoubtedly affect blooms and slab production of the mill. On top of this problem, currently overwhelming situation of severe coking coal and iron ore shortage is also pushing the mill to take measures of production. The mill meanwhile solved the hot rolled plate problem and the line is now back on stream however the shortage of plates for tube making expected to show its impact worldwide is seen to be highly possible to take ILVA volume out of the market.