Jindal and Arvedi submit bids for former Ilva steel plants

India's Jindal Steel International and Italy's Arvedi Group have submitted bids to acquire the operating assets of the former Ilva steel plants, Acciaierie d'Italia's extraordinary commissioners said.

The two bids were received by the November 8 deadline and cover all of the company's operating assets. The commissioners will now examine the offers to assess their completeness and compliance with the tender requirements.

The sale process covers Acciaierie d'Italia, formerly Ilva, whose operations are centred on the Taranto plant in southern Italy. The group has been under extraordinary administration following years of financial and operational difficulties.

The Taranto site is Italy's only integrated steelworks and remains a key part of the country's manufacturing industry. The group also operates facilities in the northern regions of Liguria and Piedmont.

The sale process has been complicated by a recent court ruling concerning the operation of blast furnaces at the Taranto site on health and environmental grounds.

According to market reports, Arvedi's proposal includes plans to install two electric arc furnaces and, subject to local approval, a direct reduced iron plant using the company's proprietary technology. Details of both bids, including planned investments, production targets and employment plans, have not yet been disclosed.