Reuters, citing a report in an Italian newspaper, said one of the conditions is the restoration of legal immunity to criminal liabilities tied to the Taranto works environmental issues. 

Reuters has more here. 

In an unrelated development, ArcelorMittal said it expects to close on its acquisition of Essar Steel India Ltd. by the end of the year now that India’s Supreme Court has cleared the deal.  

ArcelorMittal will operate the business in partnership with Japan’s Nippon Steel Corp. 

Commodities news and pricing service Argus Media said the two steelmakers will be the first foreign majority owners of a primary mill in India and could heighten completion in the flat-rolled market. 

“Nippon Steel and ArcelorMittal have significant relationships with global auto producers, which could be leveraged by these companies to give them a bigger pie of the auto steel market,” Argus reported.