Registration

SteelTech Expo Hall Opens

Inauguration and Keynote Speakers

Networking Break

Transformation of the European Steel lndustry for Carbon Neutrality 

Moderator: Jürgen Cappel, Managing Director, Cappel Stahl Consulting GmbH

Panelists:

• Representative from SSAB
• Representative from Stahl-Holding-Saar

Networking Lunch

Carbon-Free Energy Sources for the European Steel Industry 

The transition to low-carbon steel production is a key pillar in Europe’s broader industrial decarbonization strategy. Central to this transformation is the availability of reliable, carbon-free energy sources—namely renewable electricity and clean hydrogen. As steelmakers plan and invest in next-generation facilities, a critical question remains: Will there be sufficient energy supply and infrastructure in place when these operations come online? This session will explore the readiness of Europe’s energy ecosystem to meet these demands, with expert perspectives on renewable energy generation, hydrogen production, and the development of safe, efficient distribution networks.

Moderator: Susanne Michelic, Chair of Ferrous Metallurgy, Montanuniversität Leoben 

Panelists:

• Grzegorz Pawelec, Director, Regulatory & Market Intelligence, Hydrogen Europe
• Thomas Kienberger, Professor for Energy Systems, Montanuniversität Leoben
• Representative from GE Vernova
• Representative from Total Energies

Networking Break

Strategic Iron: Balancing Availability, Quality, and Cost for Sustainable Steelmaking

As the steel industry transitions to low-carbon production routes, iron feedstocks are becoming increasingly strategic and critical for making the right technology decisions. From direct reduction-grade pellets to low-grade ores fines, the availability, quality, and cost of iron units will define the pace and direction of decarbonization. Can we challenge long-held standards, such as the Fe content required for DR-grade pellets, to unlock more iron bodies and improve availability?

Balancing availability, quality, and cost is not just a procurement issue - it’s a strategic lever for both sustainable steelmaking and the future of iron ore mining. In this session, leading experts will share insights into raw material trends, technical constraints, evolving trade flows, and what they mean for global iron sourcing strategies.

Moderator: Felix Firsbach, Vice President, Badische Stahl-Engineering GmbH

Panelists:

• Representative from Rio Tinto
• Representative from Fastmarkets

Closing Summary

Reception, Exhibit Hall

Program Concludes

Registration

Welcome IDOM & AIST

Digital Transformation Across the Plant Lifecycle: Strategies for Brownfield and Greenfield Environments

As steelmakers pursue digital transformation, they face distinct challenges depending on whether a facility is new or existing. Brownfield environments must reconcile decades of legacy systems, incomplete data, and complex infrastructure, while greenfield projects require early strategic alignment to ensure long-term digital success. This session explores approaches to digitalizing the entire plant lifecycle—from project definition through operations and maintenance. Industry experts will share practical strategies for integrating systems, managing data, and executing projects that unlock value and efficiency through digitalization, laying the foundations for intelligent and autonomous manufacturing.

Speaker: Marco Busatto, Industry 4.0 Director, IDOM

The Future of European Steel Research 

Research perspective on steel technology development and deployment.

Klaus Peters, Secretary General, The European Steel Technology Platform (ESTEP)

Networking Break

Industry Leader Panel 

European steel demand continues to face significant challenges: global overcapacity, geopolitical uncertainty, high inflation, monetary tightening, and elevated energy prices. Even so, producers are executing on multi-generational investments necessary to meet climate goals. In this session, several industry leaders from both the EU and the U.S. will share perspectives on the challenges and opportunities for the steel industry to thrive in the years ahead.

Moderator: Ronald Ashburn, Executive Director, AIST

Panelists:

• José Antonio Jainaga, President, Sidenor Steel

Networking Lunch

Execution Strategies for Large-Scale Steel Projects 

Europe’s steel industry faces major challenges as it undertakes bold investments in new technologies and greenfield projects, alongside immediate improvements to existing operations. These efforts unfold amid rising political risks and market uncertainty—conditions that heighten the risk of failure. Still, demands for greater efficiency, quality, and environmental performance remain non-negotiable. Is there a “philosopher’s stone” for successful project execution? This session features courageous investors, seasoned advisors, and forward-thinking developers sharing how they confront and mitigate project risks in today’s volatile landscape.

Moderator: Thomas Germershausen, Managing Partner, KLE.GER

Panelists:

• Nicole Voigt, Managing Director and Partner, Boston Consulting Group
• Representative from Hatch
• Representative from IDOM

Networking Break

Keynote

Antonio Marcegaglia, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Marcegaglia

Innovation in Plant Design

The search for greater efficiencies, safer environments and better-performing products is relentless, so innovation and steelmaking have gone hand in hand. That is evident in the newest steelmaking facilities, which are more automated, safer, and better performing than ever. Representatives from the major technology providers will showcase some of their latest innovations and describe how they are aiding steelmakers in lowering carbon emissions and improving their competitiveness.

Moderator: Mauro Bianchi Ferri, Managing Director, Acciarium Srl

Panelists:

• Rolando Paolone, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Technical Officer, Danieli & C. S.p.A.
• Harald Holzgruber, Chief Executive Officer, INTECO Holding GmbH
• Representative from Primetals
• Representative from Tenova
• Representative from SMS group

Program Concludes 

Gala Dinner, Guggenheim Bilbao Museum

Joint Technical Visits