24–26 JUNE 2025 / MARRIOTT MENA HOUSE, CAIRO
CAIRO, EGYPT
EVENT HOST | ORGANIZED BY |
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EVENT SPONSORS
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MENA Steel Forum
SCHEDULE
| Tuesday, 24 June 2025 | Al Khalifa Ballroom | |
| 08:00–09:00 | Registration and Coffee |
| 09:00–09:30 | Welcome and Introduction AIST MENA Member Chapter Chair Karim Badr and Vice Chair Karim Alshurafa |
| 09:30–10:00 | Keynote Presentation "Building the Future: Advancements in Steel Rebar for Egypt's Infrastructure" Gamil Iskander, Projects Director and Board Member, Ezz Steel |
| 10:00–10:30 | Global Steel Perspectives: Oversupply, Stagnant Demand and Protectionism Collide – Who Survives, Who Thrives? Ron Ashburn, Executive Director, Association for Iron & Steel Technology |
| 10:30–11:45 | Regional Steel Perspectives Steel demand in the MENA region continues to navigate significant challenges, including global overcapacity, geopolitical uncertainty, inflationary pressures and fluctuating energy costs. Despite these hurdles, regional producers are advancing strategic investments to enhance sustainability and align with global climate objectives. In this session, industry leaders from the MENA region and Europe will share insights on the evolving landscape, exploring both the challenges and opportunities that will shape the future of the steel sector. Moderator: Ron Ashburn, Executive Director, Association for Iron & Steel Technology Panelists: Rafic Daou, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Suez Steel Co. SAE Rolando Paolone, Board Member, ABS - Acciaierie Bertoli Safau S.p.A., Italy |
| 12:00–13:00 | Lunch | Al Hakem Ballroom |
| 13:00–15:00 | Technological Advancements and Innovation in Steel Manufacturing This session will highlight cutting-edge technologies and innovations shaping the future of steel manufacturing. Leading original equipment manufacturers will present advancements in automation, process optimization, energy efficiency, digitalization, and emissions reduction, offering insights into how these solutions are driving performance, sustainability, and competitiveness across steel industry. Moderator: Ashraf Hanna, Vice President of Steelmaking Solutions and Services, MeltTech Solutions Inc. Presenters: Paolo Stagnoli, Director, Marketing and Sales, EAF and LF, Tenova S.p.A. Enea Paquali, Key Account Manager Egypt, SMS group Kyle Morgan, Vice President of Operations and Co-Owner, The Systems Group Mostafa Khamis, Vice President – Key Account Management, Danieli Group Dogan Ertas, General Manager, GEMKOM MAKINA |
| 15:00–15:30 | Coffee Break |
| 15:30–17:30 | Insights From Technology Providers, Users and Analysts in Green Steel As the MENA region prioritizes sustainable industrial development, green steel production plays a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions and meeting global climate commitments. This panel will explore cutting-edge technologies, including hydrogen-based direct reduction (HDR), electric arc furnaces (EAFs), and carbon capture solutions, that are transforming the steel industry. Experts will also examine strategies for aligning with COP28 goals and advancing sustainability in steel manufacturing. Moderator: Karim Badr, Technical Director – Ironmaking, RHI Magnesita Presenters: Soroush Basirat, Energy Finance Analyst, Institute for Energy and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) Australia Robert Montgomery, Senior Plant Sales Manager – Middle East, Midrex Technologies Leonardo Tamez, Technical Sales Manager, Tenova HYL Fabio Muscolino, Sales Manager Ironmaking, SMS group Manal Al Badawi, ESG and Sustainability Manager, EMSTEEL Group |
| Wednesday, 25 June 2025 | Al Khalifa Ballroom | |
| 09:00–10:00 | Registration and Coffee |
| 10:00–12:00 | Sustainability Endeavors in Steelmaking, Refractory and Graphite Electrodes This session will explore the vital role of sustainability in the metallurgical industry. It will examine innovative strategies and best practices focused on reducing environmental impact and improving resource efficiency in the production of iron ore, refractory materials, and graphite electrodes. By highlighting technological advancements, the session aims to offer valuable insights into building a more sustainable future in the steelmaking sector. It will also provide a unique opportunity for steel suppliers to showcase process improvements and demonstrate how they can support steel producers in reducing CO₂ emissions. Moderator: Mauro Bianchi Ferri, Managing Director, Acciarium Alliance Presenters: Said Alameddine, Chairman, ALTech Group Javier Castiñeira, Global Head of HSE, Resonac Moataz El Kelany, Environmental Engineer, Ezz Steel Miriam Schnalzger, OEM Steel Linings Expert – Global, RHI Magnesita Alexander Laugier-Werth, Vice President of HSE and Quality, Vesuvius |
| 12:00–13:00 | Lunch | Al Hakem Ballroom |
| 13:00–15:00 | Academia and Industry Shaping the Future of the Steel Industry This session unites academia, industry experts and young engineers to explore data-driven problem-solving in the steel industry. Through case studies and discussions, panelists will highlight sustainability initiatives, material performance, and advanced steel manufacturing. The session aims to equip professionals with critical thinking skills to drive innovation and industry growth. Moderator: Iman El-Mahallawi, Professor, Mechanical Engineering Department, Founding Director of Centre for Renewable Energy, Academic Leader of Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing Group; The British University in Egypt Presenters:
Moderator: Taher Salah El-Din, Corporate Technical Affairs – Technical Development Director, Ezz Steel Panelists: Mohamed Fouad Emam, Corporate Chief Technical Officer, Ezz Steel Amr Eltawil, Dean, School of Innovative Design Engineering and Professor, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Department, Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology Hadia Hamdy, Vice President of Academic Services, Universities of Canada in Egypt Wael Omar, Senior Executive Vice President - Digital Services, Siemens Company |
| 15:00–15:30 | Coffee Break |
| 15:30–17:30 | Stepping Into the Future: Case Studies and Success Stories in Technology Adoption This session will showcase real-world case studies and success stories from steel producers who have adopted new technologies to enhance operations. Speakers will share practical experiences in implementing automation, digitalization, process innovations, and emissions reduction initiatives, highlighting the challenges faced, lessons learned, and the tangible benefits achieved. Moderator: Karim Alshurafa, President, Vollmer America Inc. Presenters: Osama Azab, Plant General Manager, Egyptian Steel Oussama Bellah, Process Head of Department, Direct Reduction Plant, Algerian Qatari Steel Ali El-Keshawy, Technical Sales Manager, UNICAT Catalyst Technologies Mostafa Rashad, Director of Engineering Division, El Marakby Steel Co. Robert Sorger, Senior OEM and Technological Cooperation Manager for Continuous Casting, RHI Magnesita |
| 17:30–18:00 | Concluding Remarks |
| Thursday, 26 June 2025 | |
| 08:00–14:00 | Plant Tour: Ezz Steel, Sadat City (SOLD OUT) |
| *All times are local to Cairo (GMT +2). All presentations will be in English. Schedule is subject to change and will be updated as additional details are confirmed. | |
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