From aluminium to green chemistry: here are the ongoing disputes in Sardinia
From aluminium to fluorite, via lead and zinc metallurgy, right through to telecommunications and green chemistry. There are a number of ongoing disputes affecting Sardinia from south to north.
Industrial Sulcis
On the table is the matter concerning Eurallumina and its €350 million relaunch project. Then there is the freeze on funds and the risk of insolvency due to a lack of funds. The second link in the aluminium supply chain is also grappling with the crisis. This is Sider Alloys, an Italian-Swiss company that took over the Portovesme plant from Alcoa. The actual recovery plan is struggling to get off the ground. A plan worth around 300 million euros is on the horizon. In the metallurgical sector, again within the Portovesme complex, there is also the dispute concerning the subsidiary Glencore Portovesme srl. The lead production line is at a standstill, as is the zinc line, and the lithium programme has not got off the ground.
Ceramics at the terminus
Cermed Ceramiche Mediterranea, a company based in the Medio Campidano area specialising in the production of ceramics, has ceased trading following a court-ordered liquidation ruling. The crisis was triggered by the company – which was established using funds earmarked for the redevelopment of mining sites, and which employed 120 staff directly in Sardinia and around ten in Sassuolo – facing a shortage of gas and high costs for electricity, road transport and shipping due to the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).
The Fluorsid dispute
The conflict in the Middle East is also having a negative impact on Fluorsid. The chemical company, owned by Giulini (the owner of Cagliari), produces, amongst other things, sulphuric acid and aluminium fluoride at its Sardinian plant in Macchiareddu. These products are used in both the oil and metallurgical sectors for the production of aluminium.
Sanac
Sanac, a company under administration, which used to produce refractory materials for steelworks. The company had been forced to contend with the Ilva crisis. For the Sardinian hub, as well as the other three on the mainland, a process has been initiated in preparation for its sale.
