“The closure of the transaction following complex transactions is of fundamental importance for the chlorine industry and the future of the entire chemical sector in Italy. Thousands of jobs have been saved in Porto Marghera and on Sardinia.” Those euphoric words by Italy's Economic Development Minister Claudio Scajola only a few weeks ago could turn out to be no more than hot air.

According to the Italian media, Fiorenzo Sartor, the entrepreneur who acquired the three VCM/PVC sites in Porto Marghera, Porto Torres and Ravenna from Ineos Vinyls Italia (Porto Marghera / Italy) – see Plasteurope.com of 03.04.2009 – is threatening to declare the company insolvent. The background is apparently a dispute between Vinyls Italia and Eni about the pricing and supply of dichloroethane for the VCM facilities. Italy’s petrochemicals sector has been plunged back into chaos.

Ironically, another round table convened by Scajola has just published a seven-point plan to put Italy's chemical industry back on track. Action includes regional negotiations to speed up implementation of agreements, especially for the sites in Sardinia and Porto Marghera. Other aims are a financial settlement with Eni and steps to reduce energy costs in the petrochemicals sector.

The trade unions have now published an open letter calling on Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi to intervene. Including plans by acrylic fibres producer Montefibre (Milan / Italy; www.mef.it) to close its Porto Marghera plant and relocate capacity abroad, some 5,500 jobs are at stake.