According to reports in the Italian press, the court rejected the application filed by lawyers representing Acciaierie d’Italia and Ilva under extraordinary administration to suspend the enforcement of the decision. As a result, the ruling issued at the end of July, which ordered the suspension of operations in the hot-production area within 90 days, remains in effect.
Companies take case to Supreme Court
Acciaierie d’Italia and Ilva under extraordinary administration also appealed the July ruling to Italy’s Supreme Court. However, the Supreme Court’s decision is expected to be issued after October 28, the deadline set for the suspension of operations at the plant.
The companies’ lawyers argued that shutting down the hot-production area could cause serious and irreparable damage to the steelworks. The application claimed that the decision could lead to the closure of the plant, the loss of jobs for thousands of workers, or the introduction of temporary unemployment measures.
Despite the economic consequences cited by the companies, the court ruled that the right to health of residents living in Taranto should take priority. Concerns over the presence of asbestos at the plant and emissions of fine particulate matter were also raised during the proceedings underlying the ruling.
Unions call on government to act
Daniela Fumarola, General Secretary of the Italian General Confederation of Labour (CGIL), said the ruling had made the situation surrounding the former Ilva more complicated, adding that the next steps by the government and company management were now awaited. Fumarola stressed the need to ensure the continuation of steel production while protecting workers, the environment, health and safety.
Metalworkers’ unions Fim, Fiom and Uilm also called on the government in a joint statement to resume talks on the future of the former Ilva. The unions demanded measures to protect workers and halt job cuts.
With the latest ruling, October 28, 2026, will be a key date in determining the future of the hot-production operations at the Taranto steelworks.
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