On 25 August, the board of directors of Taranto, Italy-based steel producer Ilva, of the Gruppo Riva, approved a €146 million environmental plan, confirming its timely engagement in developing new investment projects aimed at reducing pollution in the Taranto area, SteelOrbis reports.

Ilva's president Bruno Ferrante stated that some works are already under development, while other projects regarding facilities with high pollution levels will be discussed with technicians authorized by the court of Taranto. Among the latter projects, Mr. Ferrante cited "several monitoring systems, a continuous long-term dioxin sampler, works on blast furnaces and on the rotary cooling system of the agglomeration plant in order to increase dust captation efficiency, and a windbreak-barrier surrounding ore yards."

In a press statement, Ilva said that it would maintain full cooperation and constant dialogue with the relevant authorities and that it looked to the future with hope and confidence.

Italian judges recently confirmed a ruling they issued earlier this month preventing production at Ilva because of longstanding environmental problems at the site.

Ilva produced 8.5 million tonnes in 2011, nearly 30% of Italy's total steel output. It is one of the few big industrial plants in southern Italy.