Ilva, a one-time giant Italian steel manufacturer, now called Acciaierie d’Italia (ADI), was formerly known as Ilva, with product lines that included wire rod. Below is an update on its recent status based on multiple media reports, including past WJI stories, but it starts with a brief look at its early days,

Ilva, founded on Feb.1, 1905, as Società Industria Laminati Piani e Affini (ILVA) in Genoa, Italy, had a long and successful run as a steel maker before encountering significant problems. Its heyday spanned several decades, particularly from the 1960s through the 1980s. In 1965, ILVA inaugurated its crown jewel: the Taranto steelworks, which became Europe’s largest steel plant. At its peak in the 1970s, the Taranto plant alone annually produced more than 17 million metric tons of steel and employed around 40,000 people, representing about 16% of Taranto’s population.

The company’s prosperous period lasted for about three decades, from the mid-1960s to the mid-1990s. In 1995, the Riva Group purchased ILVA from the Italian government, marking the end of its state-owned era and the beginning of a troubled period that would eventually lead to environmental and financial crises.

In 2012, the Italian court ordered Ilva to upgrade its production line to meet regulatory standards due to concerns about pollution harming people’s health. This decision came after prosecutors sought to close the steel mill following an inquiry into abnormal rates of cancer and respiratory diseases in the Taranto area.

Despite attempts to keep the plant running while improvements were made, Ilva continued to struggle. By 2024, the company was grappling with rising energy costs and weak demand, leading to reduced production and financial difficulties. This situation ultimately resulted in ADI being placed under state-led administration.

As of February 2024, Acciaierie d’Italia has been placed under the control of commissioners appointed by the Italian state. On Feb. 29, 2024, the Milan Bankruptcy Court declared a state of insolvency for the business, citing a debt of about US$3.37 billion as of Nov. 30, 2023. Prior to this, ADI was 62% owned by ArcelorMittal and 38% by Invitalia, a state-owned investment agency.

The company has faced ongoing financial difficulties due to increases in energy prices and a drop in rolled-steel coil prices. In early January 2024, ArcelorMittal initiated bankruptcy procedures, seeking special administration to allow ADI to reorganize its debts and obligations. The Italian government has taken steps to address the situation, including creating a guarantee fund for small- and medium-sized enterprises affected by ADI’s financial troubles. This recent development is part of a long history of financial struggles and environmental controversies surrounding the company, particularly its Taranto steelworks.

ADI has been in the middle of a bidding process for its acquisition. The company received 10 offers by the Jan. 10, 2025 deadline, with three bids for the entire business and seven for individual assets. The front runners for acquiring the whole company are Baku Steel Company (in consortium with Azerbaijan Investment Company), Jindal Steel International, and Bedrock Industries Management Co., Inc.

Today, ADI’s Taranto plant, Europe’s largest steel facility, continues to operate at reduced capacity. Some 10,000 people are still considered employed by the company, commissioners have requested a 12-month extension of temporary layoffs starting in March 2025, affecting 3,420 employees, with 2,955 specifically from the Taranto steel mill.

In a bold move that will grab headlines for years to come, Meta Platforms Inc. has announced plans to construct the world’s longest subsea cable system, called “Project Waterworth,” that would connect five continents with over 50,000 km of fiber optic cable.

Per Meta statements and multiple media reports, Meta is going far beyond its social media roots to invest heavily in global connectivity. As the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, Meta’s services already account for a substantial portion of global internet traffic—10% of fixed and 22% of mobile usage.

Project Waterworth is designed to link key regions including the U.S., India, Brazil and South Africa. Meta describes it as a “multibillion-dollar, multi-year investment” aimed at bolstering global connectivity and supporting technological advancements, particularly in the realm of artificial intelligence.

The cable will use the 24 fiber-pair technology that Meta states will provide “industry-leading connectivity” that supports the growing demands of AI and other data-intensive applications. If the project goes forward as envisioned, it will be a long time before the cable suppliers are named, and expectations are that multiple suppliers would be needed. Meta, which is part owner of 16 existing networks, has had prior projects supplied by Alcatel Submarine Networks and SubCom, LLC.

Google and Microsoft have also been involved in similar, albeit smaller-scale, subsea cable projects in recent years through dozens of consortium projects. What has drawn much interest is Meta’s decision to solely own and operate this cable. A timetable suggested that it could happen as early as 2030, which is amazing given the inherent delays many much smaller projects encounter.

The project faces significant challenges, such as the shortage of specialized vessels that are required for cable laying. Environmental concerns and regulatory hurdles across multiple jurisdictions also present potential obstacles.

Meta has stated the case for the project’s potential impact. “Project Waterworth will foster enhanced economic collaboration, promote digital inclusivity, and create pathways for technological advancement in these areas,” the company stated in its announcement.

Southern Cable Group Bhd announced that it recently secured a significant contract from Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB), Malaysia’s largest electricity utility company, for underground cables and conductors.

A press release said that on Feb. 19, 2025, the company announced that it had been awarded contracts worth approximately $90.8 million. The contract spans one year and includes an option to extend for an additional year at the same contract price.

Southern Cable Managing Director Tung Eng Hai said that the cable will be provided to support TNB’s development initiatives, including grid expansion, renewable energy integration, and modernization efforts. The growing demand for cables and wires across various sectors, including data centers, manufacturing, construction, and infrastructure, presents significant growth opportunities for the company. Founded in 1993, the company has some 600 employees.

This new agreement builds upon Southern Cable’s previous successes with TNB. In July 2024, the company had secured a $22.4 million contract from TNB, which at that time increased their total ongoing supply agreement with TNB to $193 million.

Southern Cable has been a supplier to TNB for more than 20 years. It is a significant player in Malaysia, with annual production capacity of nearly 47,000 km of wire and cable. It focuses on power distribution, telecommunications, and construction, and while it primarily serves the domestic market, the company has been expanding its international presence, including sales to the United States.

American Wire Works announced that it has acquired Ace Metal, Inc., a family-owned manufacturer of metal spools and tubular wire carriers based in Clifton Heights, Pennsylvania.

A press release said that Ace Metal, established in 1946, has nearly 80 years of domestic manufacturing expertise, and will fit well with the direction of AWW, which supplies essential wire solutions to industries such as aerospace, defense, energy and infrastructure. The strategic acquisition strengthens AWW’s capabilities in domestic production and enhances its ability to provide high-quality, timely, and personalized service to customers, it said.

“By bringing Ace Metal into the AWW group, we are strengthening U.S.-based manufacturing and enhancing our ability to innovate within the wire industry,” said AWW President/Owner Phil Fusacchia. “This acquisition builds on our investments in modernizing operations and improving service, allowing us to better support our clients and industry partners.”

The acquisition will enable AWW to expand its product offerings and optimize manufacturing processes by leveraging Ace Metal’s expertise in metal spools and wire carriers. With decades of experience using these products in daily operations, AWW is uniquely positioned to innovate and develop even more tailored solutions for its customers.

Ace Metal Inc., which will again exhibit at Interwire this year, will now be called Ace Metal Works, and continue operations at its current location in Clifton Heights. AWW has retained Ace Metal’s skilled workforce. Fusacchia said that he plans to be at Interwire.

Established in 1940, American Wire Works manufactures and distributes industrial wire products, serving industries such as agriculture, aerospace, mining, energy, marine, insulation, and defense sectors.