Ex Ilva, Brescia steel steps in: a declaration of interest is filed

Brescia. The signature of Brescia’s steel giants is also part of the ambitious industrial rescue plan aiming to reshape national steel balances. The presidency council of Federacciai, led by president Antonio Gozzi, has officially authorised the submission of a declaration of interest for the former Ilva of Taranto (now Acciaierie d’Italia) on behalf of a consortium of Italian companies.
Within this tricolour consortium stands the weight of the Brescia steel sector, long a driving force in Europe, represented by Feralpi, Duferco, Lucchini RS and Ferriera Valsabbia.
The private initiative focuses on the relaunch and continuity of the plant’s operational units not affected by the recent shutdown of the hot area. For Brescia this is an unprecedented strategic move, combining protection of an essential manufacturing supply chain with the technical and financial capacity of its leading industrial groups. The path to closing the deal remains, however, conditional: producers demand the immediate opening of a negotiation table with the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy (MIMIT) to secure robust guarantees on the sustainability of the decarbonisation plan.

An open consortium: Italian partners and the international challenge
The Brescia contingent is not alone. The Federacciai-promoted consortium also includes other national steel giants such as Arvedi, Marcegaglia, Gruppo Beltrame and Acciaierie del Veneto. The Italian producers’ aim is primarily focused on the plant’s “cold” areas.
The Taranto deal remains complex and global: competing declarations of interest from international giants seek to acquire the entire industrial perimeter (including the hot area), notably India’s Jindal Steel (via Vulcan Green Steel), Ukraine’s Metinvest, Canada’s Stelco and global operator Steel Mont.

Union reaction: mobilisation at the ex-Ilva sites
The prospect of a tricolour consortium limited to part of the plant immediately reignited tensions among workers in Puglia and the national network linked to Acciaierie d’Italia. Fim, Fiom and Uilm expressed strong concern, firmly rejecting any plan to permanently shut down the hot area or structurally downsize the Taranto complex.
After the latest meeting at Palazzo Chigi, union representatives called for 8 hours of strike and convened special assemblies. These protest measures — both the strike and the assemblies — affect staff at ex‑Ilva group sites (such as Taranto, Genoa, Novi Ligure) and their supply chains. Steelworks in the province of Brescia continue regular production and ordinary union activities without changes.

The firepower of the four Brescia players
Backing the declaration of interest are the massive figures of the involved Brescia groups, true economic giants generating billions in turnover.

Feralpi Group. Headquartered in Lonato del Garda and led by the Pasini family, one of Europe’s leading steel producers: consolidated revenues of €1.7 billion and 2,173 direct employees across 7 countries.

Duferco. Group led by Federacciai president Antonio Gozzi, with a large global presence and about 1,600 employees in Italy. Duferco Travi e Profilati in San Zeno reported revenues of €277.1 million with about 260 employees.

Lucchini RS. World leader in rail components and high-end steel, based in Lovere: last fiscal year net consolidated revenues of €583.1 million (80% export) and roughly 2,000 employees worldwide.

Ferriera Valsabbia. Rooted in Odolo in the metallurgical cradle of Valle Sabbia, a key player in construction steel with revenues of €357.8 million and about 310 employees.