Bekaert Signs Deal to Reindustrialize Sardinia Tire Cord Site

Bekaert has reached a preliminary agreement with Sardinian industrial engineering and metalworking company Nuova Icom to support the reindustrialization of its Macchiareddu production site in Sardinia, Italy. The agreement represents a significant transition for the facility, where Bekaert’s tire cord manufacturing operations have become increasingly difficult to sustain amid structural changes across the global tire industry.

Under the preliminary agreement, Nuova Icom is expected to take over the Macchiareddu site, while Bekaert employees currently working at the facility are set to be reemployed under the terms established in the agreement. The proposed transaction is designed to provide the site with a new industrial purpose while helping maintain employment and economic activity in the Sardinian region.

Bekaert said that changing conditions in the tire sector have significantly affected market demand and the competitive position of its Sardinian tire reinforcement operations. Over recent years, production at the site has gradually declined as market conditions became less favorable. As a result, tire cord manufacturing at Macchiareddu is no longer considered commercially viable under the current operating environment.

Rather than allowing the site’s industrial activities to end without an alternative, Bekaert has proactively explored options aimed at securing a sustainable future for the facility. The agreement with Nuova Icom is the outcome of this process and could enable the location to continue supporting industrial activity while providing greater employment continuity.

The transition is particularly important for employees, their families and the wider local community, given the site's role in the regional industrial ecosystem. Bekaert has acknowledged the broader implications of the change and said it plans to continue discussions with relevant stakeholders in a constructive and collaborative manner.

The proposed transaction is expected to be completed in October 2026, subject to the conclusion of the required consultation process and fulfillment of customary closing conditions. Until completion, further discussions and consultations will determine the final implementation of the agreement.

From an industry perspective, the development highlights the pressure facing traditional tire reinforcement manufacturing as tire producers adapt their supply chains, product technologies and sourcing strategies. At the same time, transferring the facility to an industrial company could preserve manufacturing capabilities and employment while opening opportunities for new industrial applications at the Macchiareddu site.

Chemical Commodity Price Impact

The immediate impact on tire cord and tire reinforcement products is likely to be limited because Bekaert’s Sardinia production has already progressively declined and is no longer commercially viable. The transfer to Nuova Icom could preserve industrial infrastructure and employment while potentially enabling alternative manufacturing activities. For chemical commodities tracked by ChemAnalyst, the move is unlikely to create a major short-term price shock. Demand for synthetic rubber, carbon black, resorcinol, formaldehyde and other tire-related chemical inputs could remain broadly stable because the site’s declining production is being transitioned rather than expanded. However, any future industrial redevelopment could generate incremental regional demand for chemicals, supporting prices marginally.