Dispute involving AST Terni
23.7.2020
Question for written answer E-004360/2020
to the Commission
Rule 138
Daniela Rondinelli (NI), Salvatore De Meo (PPE), Simona Bonafè (S&D), Antonio Maria Rinaldi (ID)
The steelworks ‘Acciaierie di Terni’, market leader in Italy and fourth in Europe, is once again up for sale, having been considered a non-strategic business within the multinational ThyssenKrupp.
However, the steel industry remains a crucial sector for both Italy and Europe. Six expressions of interest have so far reached the parent company, but the sale procedure, according to AST's CEO, Massimiliano Burelli, will not officially start until the end of the 2020 tax year.
One of the possible risks is that of commercial competition from the vendor itself, since the divestment would not even make provision for an overseas service centre; what this would mean in practice would be to restrict the market to the domestic market.
In view of the above, can the Commission answer the following questions:
- 1.Will it express its views on the sale in advance, in view of the antitrust provisions adopted as long ago as 2014 regarding the repurchase of AST?
- 2.Over and beyond the safeguard measures introduced over the years and the adoption of the temporary post-Covid framework, given the continuing growth in non-EU imports, does it intend to prevent the further weakening of the steel industry in Europe?
- 3.In its view, will the European steel industry be able to receive non-refundable grants in order to modernise its production processes?