European anti-trust
authorities have asked Italian steel group Marcegaglia to leave
the consortium with ArcelorMittal that is taking over struggling
steel group ILVA, ANSA learned Monday. The European Commission,
which opened a probe into the ILVA takeover on November 8,
declined to comment on the report. As another condition for
giving the operation a green light, competition authorities want
ArcelorMittal to sell one of ILVA's plants, at Piombino in
Tuscany, sources said. Brussels is said to be concerned about a
reduction in competitiveness in the production of various steels
used in various industrial sectors from construction to cars.
As well as the industrial side, EC assessments on ILVA's
environmental issues are also ongoing, sources said. There may
be fresh concerns about the clean-up of ILVA's main plant at
Taranto, which has been linked to high cancer rates in the area.
photo: Taranto plant
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
