The ArcelorMittal steel plant in Taranto, southern Italy, will continue to run. ArcelorMittal was more likely to shut down the Ilva plant because a new law would abolish protecting the group against environmental and health claims. That law, which would enter into force on Friday, has now been amended to allow the steel giant to continue in Italy.
Ilva, Europe’s largest steel mill, has been embroiled in environmental scandals for decades. The environmental problems and related health problems of local residents plunged the company into financial problems. ArcelorMittal came out as the best party in 2017 for the rescue of the factory and the clean-up of the environment.
Initially, ArcelorMittal was legally protected against prosecution for past Ilva environmental offenses, but a recently introduced law would put an end to that immunity. The now amended law, with sufficient guarantees for ArcelorMittal, will only become permanent if Parliament approves it within sixty days.
