Business · Companies · 11 hrs ago
Unions urge Bolzano to keep Aluminium foundry in place and protect jobs
Unions are urging Aluminium Bozen to remain at its foundry in Bolzano, rather than move to another site.
The foundry stands on land owned by the province, and its lease is due to expire in 2030.
The unions want the province to renew the lease and guarantee jobs, along with investment in safety and sustainability.
They say a move could cost an estimated €220 million in public money, while more than €20 million has already been invested in the furnace area since a fatal 2024 explosion.
The unions argue that uncertainty over the factory’s future could hold back investment and put jobs at risk.
They suggest expanding the Noi Techpark on land planned for the Ponte Roma neighbourhood instead, but the province has not announced a decision.
Unions are urging South Tyrol province to keep the Aluminium foundry at its current site in Bolzano and protect jobs.
The foundry’s land concession is due to expire in 2030.
Uil and Uilm say the province should renew the concession and provide employment guarantees, while investing in safety and sustainability.
The unions say moving the plant is estimated to cost €220 million in public funds.
They propose considering an expansion of the Noi Techpark on land planned for the Ponte Roma district instead.
- Who
- Uil and Uilm union leaders Mauro Baldessari and Eduart Dedja.
- What
- They urge the province to keep the Aluminium foundry at its current site and protect jobs.
- When
- The unions made their appeal on 3 November 2026. The land concession expires in 2030.
- Where
- Bolzano, Italy.
- Why
- They say moving a functioning plant would be a poor industrial choice and could put jobs and investment at risk.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
An explosion at the plant killed Bocar Diallo, 31; investigations by the prosecutor’s office are ongoing.
Uil and Uilm leaders called for the foundry to remain in Bolzano and for employment guarantees.
The concession for the 30,000-square-metre site is due to expire.
- Land concession
- Expires in 2030
- Site area
- 30,000 square metres
- Estimated public cost of relocation
- €220 million
- Investment in the furnace area after the 2024 incident
- More than €20 million
- Plant operations
- Three shifts
What people are saying
Aluminium Bozen must stay where it is.
Spending to move a functioning production activity, rather than strengthen it, would be an industrially wrong choice.
Behind this plant are workers, families and professional skills that Bolzano cannot afford to lose.