The last bureaucratic obstacle has been overcome. And primary aluminum made in Italy can start again from Portovesme. The Region has given the green light to the last steps relating to authorizations so that Sider Alloys, an Italian-Swiss company that took over the plants from Alcoa, can reactivate the only Italian plant that produces primary aluminum from the processing of alumina. “We can finally say that in Italy it will resume producing primary aluminum – says Eros Brega, the company’s legal affairs manager – and we can say that it starts again from Portovesme and Sider Alloys”. Right from the factory where production stopped in October 2012 at the end of a long and tormented dispute.
The tricky part is behind it
The most complicated phase of the authorization process (which goes beyond that foreseen for the arrangement of the systems) is behind us. Now we look to the future and to the markets that see aluminum prices rise. “We have an investment worth 150 million euros in the field – argues Brega – and provides for the refurbishment of the smelter with the most advanced technologies capable of producing aluminum of the highest quality”. The project carried out by Sider Alloys, led by Giuseppe Mannina, provides for a revamping phase and then the start of production and the insertion of 370 direct and 70 contract workers, plus any other 50 in case of restarting an additional plant (the so-called “anode factory”).
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Investments of 150 million
To support the entire plan, which aims to relaunch the production of primary aluminum, an investment program of 150 million euros, of which 8 non-repayable, 84 financed at a subsidized rate, 20 made available by Alcoa and the rest to the new owner. Currently within the compendium that until the stop of the electrolytic cells (in October 2012) produced 150 thousand tons of primary aluminum for blocks and billets, various redevelopment and arrangement works have begun in anticipation of the most important interventions that, in light of of the last bureaucratic step, «they will be able to leave shortly. It will be the first factory in Italy that will produce primary aluminum from alumina processing through an electrolytic process – says Brega -. Then there will also be the foundry for the production of recycled aluminum ».
I primi container
The first containers with the material for the reconstruction of the plants have already arrived in Portovesme and others are expected for the next few days. Chinalco will carry out the most important interventions that will transform the factory into a modern and avant-garde site in the field of metallurgy. “Finally the most critical part has been overcome – says Rino Barca, aluminum manager of the Fsm Cisl – now the second phase begins, which is the operational one linked to the relaunch of the plant which will be modern and avant-garde”. First stage of the new course next Wednesday. “We have been summoned by the company to talk about the organization of work and personnel – he continues – and then give the program a run”. The start of the interventions, assure Sider Alloys, should be immediate. As for production, the first piece of aluminum should be cast in January 2022.