VERSO LA RICONVERSIONE DI SETTORI UTILIZZATORI DI AMIANTO:RISULTATI DI UN'INDAGINE SUL CAMPO

This paper examines the behaviour of the main operators in friction car components and in asbestos-cement during the transitional phase to alternative tecnologies after the introduction of law N. 257 in 1992. It considers the safety measures started up, the waste treatment in asbestos processing, the technical and economic features of substitute materials, the importance of the process changeover fixed by the new law. It also analyses the stimulating role of industrial policy tools directed to support the reorganization and quantifies the drop in import-export flows. In the second part of the paper the financial results of a panel of firms are analysed and compared with those of the industry they belong to during the period of the reorganization (1990-1992).