Bekaert signed a preliminary agreement to transfer its Sardinian tire cord facility to Nuova Icom. The Belgian company cited transport costs triple competitors & unsustainable energy conditions. Nuova Icom plans €40M ($43.2M) investment, preserving 150 jobs & adding 50 positions. Regional authorities financed €3M ($3.2M) in workforce training. The transaction is expected to close in October 2026, subject to consultation completion.