The new group, formed under WeBuild’s Project Italy initiative, will focus on large sustainable transport infrastructure projects alongside hydropower, water and green buildings.  

Webuild, formerly Salini Impregilo, says the acquisition will bring together an array of innovative technical and engineering expertise, and will expand the group’s geographic footprint to allow it to act quickly on investment programmes put forward by national governments around the world. 

The group will aim to contribute to the advancement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the fight against climate change. 

Webuild is involved in a number of major rail projects around the world, including the Verona - Padua high-speed line and the rail hub in Genoa, while Astaldi is involved in projects such as Milan Metro’s Line 4, the Naples - Bari high-speed line and the Hurontario light rail transit project near Toronto, Canada.  

Project Italy is being developed with support from CDP Equity, Intesa Sanpaolo, UniCredit, Banco BPM and institutional investors.“For Webuild Group, this is a moment that evokes a great sense of accomplishment,” says Webuild chief executive, Mr Pietro Salini. “It opens the way for a bigger and more competitive group that looks at the future of the sector in Italy with optimism.  

“The operation was made possible thanks to the contribution made by Italy’s main public and private institutions - CDP Equity, Intesa Sanpaolo, UniCredit and Banco BPM - and a large pool of qualified investors including businessman Mr Leonardo Del Vecchio who believed in an initiative that, just a year ago, seemed an ambitious idea and yet, today, has become a reality.”