After more than seven hours of discussions, national and local governments reached an agreement at the Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy on the decarbonization of the former Ilva plant in Taranto. The accord aims to protect production and jobs.

The agreement requires the new buyer to submit environmental and health authorization requests within set timeframes, ensuring complete decarbonization through the gradual replacement of blast furnaces with electric furnaces. The parties also agreed to adjourn the process after September 15, the deadline for binding offers, to review tender results and assess a possible national direct reduced iron hub to supply the new furnaces.

The meeting also addressed reindustrialization of vacant areas, potential support for Tamburi neighborhood residents, and labor market measures to offset employment impacts. A program agreement will be signed to promote local development and monitor environmental procedures, with the first follow-up meeting scheduled for September.