24–26 JUNE 2025 / MARRIOTT MENA HOUSE, CAIRO
CAIRO, EGYPT

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MENA Steel Forum

SCHEDULE


Tuesday, 24 June 2025
08:00–09:00Registration and Coffee
09:00–09:30Welcome and Introduction
AIST MENA Member Chapter Chair Karim Badr
09:30–10:00Keynote Presentation
"Building the Future: Advancements in Steel Rebar for Egypt's Infrastructure"
Gamil Iskander, Head of Projects Division – Board Member, Ezz Steel
Rafic Daou, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Suez Steel Co SAE
10:00–12:00Industry Leader Panel
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 the U.S. will share insights on the evolving landscape, exploring both the challenges and opportunities that will shape the future of the steel sector.

Moderator: Ronald AshburnExecutive Director, Association for Iron & Steel Technology

Panelists:
Rafic Daou, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Suez Steel Co SAE
Barry Schneider, President and Chief Operating Officer, Steel Dynamics Inc.

Harssha Shetty, Chief Executive Officer, Jindal Steel, Oman
Tom Toner, Senior Advisor and Vice President Operations, SSAB Americas
12:00–13:00Lunch
13:00–15:00Technological 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 & Services, MeltTech Solutions Inc.


Panelists:
Biswadeep Bhattacharjee, Senior Vice President and Head of Green Steel, Primetals Technologies 
Dogan Ertas, General Manager, GEMKOM MAKINA
Mostafa Khamis, Vice President – Key Account Management, Danieli Group
Enea Paquali, Key Account Manager Egypt, SMS group
Paolo Stagnoli, Director, Marketing and Sales, EAF & LF, Tenova S.p.A.
15:00–15:30Coffee Break
15:30–17:30Insights 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

Panelists:
Manal Al Badawi, ESG and Sustainability Manager, EMSTEEL Group
Soroush Basirat, Energy Finance Analyst, Institute for Energy and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) Australia
Robert Montgomery, Senior Manager, Plant Sales – Middle East, Midrex Technologies
Fabio Muscolino, Sales Manager Ironmaking, SMS group
Leonardo Tamez, Technical Sales Manager, Tenova HYL
Wednesday, 25 June 2025 
09:00–10:00Registration and Coffee
10:00–12:00Sustainability 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

Panelists:
Said Alameddine, Chairman, ALTech Group
Javier Castiñeira, Global Head of HSE, Resonac
Moataz El Kelany, Environmental Engineer, Ezz Steel
Alexander Laugier-Werth, Vice President of HSE and Quality, Vesuvius
Miriam Schnalzger, OEM Steel Linings Expert – Global, RHI Magnesita
12:00–13:00Lunch
13:00–15:00Academia 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

Presentations:
  • “Boosting the Steel Industry Through Sustainability Actions: Circular Economy and Recycling”
    Khadija Saad, Metallurgical and Materials Engineer, German University in Cairo; and Dina Mahmoud, Metallurgical Research Engineer, Abu Zaabal Company for Specialized Industries  
  • “Effect of Aging Process and Tramp Elements on Mechanical Properties of Tempcore Reinforcement Steel Rebars”
     Mohamed Mahmoud Karroum, Senior Quality Engineer, Suez Steel
  • “Sustainable Manufacturing of High-Strength Steel Grades: ASTM A706Gr 80
     Assem Abd Elfatah, Rolling Mill Plant Director, Suez Steel 
  • “Building Tomorrow: How EZZ Steel Is Shaping the Future Through Development and Innovation”
     Taher Salah El-din, Corporate Technical Affairs – Technical Development Director, Ezz Steel
  • "Developing Research Skills for Junior Professionals"
     Sara Hornby, President, Global Strategic Solutions, Inc.
Panel Discussion
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

15:00–15:30Coffee Break
15:30–17:30Stepping 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.


Panelists:
Osama Azab, Plant General Manager, Egyptian Steel
Oussama Bellah, Process Head of Department in the 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 & Technological Cooperation Manager for Continuous Casting, RHI Magnesita 
Thursday, 26 June 2025
08:00-14:00Plant Tour: Ezz Steel, Sadat City
*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. 

EVENT CONTRIBUTORS

SMS Group     TMEIC

Association For Iron & Steel Technology

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