SteelOrbis has learned that about 10 out of 25 companies admitted to the second phase of due diligence for the acquisition of facilities belonging to the Taranto-based Italian steelmaker Ilva Group are interested in buying the whole of the group, which would be the preferred option for the Italian government. The deadline for companies to present their offers for Ilva is May 23 this year.
In the meantime, Italian news agency ANSA has reported that Turkish steel producer Erdemir Group, one of the companies interested in the acquisition, is exploring the possibility of setting up a joint venture with one or more Italian players for the purposes of the acquisition. ANSA stated that possible Italian candidates for this joint venture would be Marcegaglia and Arvedi with financial support provided by Italian public investment company Cassa Depositi e Prestiti.