The Milan Court of Appeal dismissed a request by Acciaierie d'Italia and Ilva to suspend an order requiring the shutdown of the Taranto plant's hot-works area within 90 days.

Judges prioritized public health and environmental protection over commercial activity, citing unaddressed asbestos hazards and excessive particulate emissions. The ruling enforces the July directive demanding complete asbestos removal and particulate reduction before production resumes, rejecting arguments concerning severe economic harm and potential job losses.

The decision complicates restructuring proposals for the former Ilva facility as prospective buyers weigh bids with or without operational blast furnaces, though related subcontractor layoffs remain temporarily frozen.