Business · Companies · 7 hrs ago
Taranto steelworks makes final iron pour after more than 60 years
The former Ilva steelworks in Taranto, southern Italy, made its last iron pour on 9 October after more than 60 years of production.
Its last working blast furnace is being kept in a preheating state, which maintains the plant but does not produce steel.
This means Italy has effectively stopped making primary steel, though the furnace has not yet been fully shut down.
A Milan appeals court has ordered the hot-production area to close, but Italy’s Supreme Court could still rule differently at a hearing on 20 October.
Unless that happens, shutdown operations are due to be completed by 25 October.
Workers’ unions called a strike on 12 October after talks with the government offered no clear prospects, and the company has announced that plants in Taranto, Genoa and Novi Ligure will stop.
Workers now face further time on wage support, while the story also highlights residents’ concerns about jobs and environmental conditions.
The Taranto steelworks made its final iron pour at 3:03 a.m. on 9 October 2026, ending more than 60 years of production.
Blast furnace 2, the last one still operating, is now being kept in preheating mode without producing steel.
The shutdown effectively ends Italy’s primary steel production, though the plant has not yet been fully switched off.
Workers’ unions called a strike for 12 October, saying they saw no prospects after talks with the government.
Workers face the prospect of further temporary layoffs, while the future of the site remains uncertain.
- Who
- Acciaierie d’Italia’s Taranto steelworks, its workers and their unions.
- What
- The plant made its final iron pour, effectively ending primary steel production in Italy.
- When
- The final pour took place at 3:03 a.m. on 9 October 2026; unions called a strike for 12 October.
- Where
- Taranto, Italy; the company also announced plant stoppages in Genoa and Novi Ligure.
- Why
- The blast furnace was stopped as part of operations to shut down the hot area, amid legal proceedings and uncertainty over the plant’s future.
Industrialists
Environmentalists
Meaning of the final pour
Industrialists
The final pour was described as melancholy.
Environmentalists
The final pour was described as something to celebrate.
We would also like work in healthy conditions and protection of the environment.
no prospects
The steelworks was inaugurated.
The plant reached its record production of 10 million tonnes in a year.
Government and union talks took place at Palazzo Chigi.
The steelworks made its final iron pour.
Unions called a strike at all former Ilva sites.
- Final iron pour
- 3:03 a.m. on 9 October 2026
- Blast furnace
- No. 2, the last one still operating
- Record annual production
- 10 million tonnes in 2007
- Recent annual production
- 2 million tonnes in recent years
- Other announced stoppages
- Genoa and Novi Ligure
- Scheduled court hearing
- 20 October 2026
Sources
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