AIST Decarbonization Subcommittee Webinar: Introduction to Sustainable Steelmaking

16 February 2026 • Zoom • 9–10 a.m. EDT

About the Program

Steel is essential to modern life, but the way it is produced must evolve to meet sustainability goals. This webinar introduces participants to the global importance of steel, explores both integrated steelmaking and electric arc furnace (EAF) pathways, and highlights the key challenges the industry faces in reducing emissions and managing resources. Attendees will gain insight into current pain points and future innovations driving the transition toward greener, more resilient steel manufacturing.

Registration Fees

US$0 for AIST members, U$50 for non-members.

Available Sponsorships

Event Sponsor – 1 available US$3,500

Name recognition for specific webinar on upcoming webinar calendar.
Sponsor logo and hyperlink included in electronic promotions.
Sponsor logo and hyperlink on specific webinar page.
Sponsor logo on webinar registration page.
Sponsor can provide a message (2–3 sentences) for host to read during opening webinar remarks.
Verbal recognition by host at end of webinar.
Recognition in thank-you message to all participants when the webinar ends.
Sponsor will receive a list of all webinar participants (name, company, country).
Three AIST memberships for non-members only.

Moderators

David Marshall, Founder, Performance Improvement Inc.
David Marshall holds an electrical engineering degree from Teesside University and an M.B.A. from Ivey Business School. After leading Danieli Corus North America as chief operating officer, he founded Performance Improvement Inc., specializing in reliability and process solutions for blast furnaces, energy recovery and power generation. An AIST Life Member, Marshall was the founding chair of the Decarbonization Subcommittee and continues to advance sustainability initiatives as chair emeritus. Today, he focuses on process reliability and consulting to support a lower-carbon future for the metals industry.

Felix Firsbach, Vice President, Badische Stahl-Engineering GmbH
Felix Firsbach leads decarbonization consulting at Badische Group, supporting mini-mills and integrated steel plants in reducing emissions. A metallurgy graduate of RWTH Aachen, he previously served as global steel expert at Lhoist and now drives industry sustainability through his role as chair of AIST’s Decarbonization Subcommittee. He has published over 50 papers, holds a patent and received the AIST Charles H. Herty Jr. Award in 2023.

Presentation 1

The Role of Steel in the World, Joe Morey, Owner, Morey Industrial Consulting, and Brian Black, General Manager and Vice President of Operations, SMS group Inc.

Presentation Abstract:
Steel is the foundation of modern civilization, enabling progress in infrastructure, transportation, energy and everyday life. Its unmatched strength, versatility, and recyclability make it indispensable to global development and sustainability goals. In this section, participants will explore how steel’s central role in society sets the stage for understanding the industry’s transition toward greener production methods, linking its importance today to the urgent need for sustainable steelmaking in the future.

Presenter Bios:
Joe Morey, owner of Morey Industrial Consulting, brings over 28 years of global steelmaking expertise from cokemaking to slab casting. Today, he helps companies improve their sustainability at the best value, advising innovators like Limelight Steel and CarbonFree. As vice chair of AIST’s Decarbonization Subcommittee and an active contributor to Purdue University Northwest’s Steel Manufacturing Simulation and Visualization Consortium (SMSVC) and Carnegie Mellon University’s INDABA Partnership, Morey is at the forefront of sustainable steelmaking.

Brian Black is vice president of coke and iron process at SMS group Inc. With 26 years of blast furnace operations experience at Arcelor/Inland Steel and over 12 years of international consulting, Black brings deep expertise in ironmaking processes. He actively contributes to industry advancement as a member of the AIST Ironmaking Technology Committee and the Decarbonization Subcommittee.

Presentation 2

Steelmaking Process Paths, Mike Grant, Consultant, and P. Chris Pistorius, POSCO Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University

Abstract:
Steel is made using a combination of recycled steel and iron produced from iron ore. Ironmaking is the most energy-intensive and carbon-intensive step in steel production. The blast furnace and direct reduction are the main ironmaking technologies, using different combinations of coke, coal and natural gas. Steel itself is made by melting recycled steel and by refining iron, using electricity, oxygen and fluxes as the main inputs. This section of the webinar summarizes the main process routes currently used worldwide, including their capital intensity and carbon intensity.

Presenter Bios:
Michael Grant is an independent consultant with nearly 40 years of experience in steelmaking, specializing in EAF and ironmaking technologies. He has designed and optimized over 30 EAFs worldwide and contributed to major decarbonization initiatives, including the European Commission’s ULCOS project and the development of Top Gas Recycling Blast Furnace technology. Based in Frankfurt, Grant advises steelmakers globally on process optimization and industrial gas integration. He has authored over 60 technical papers, holds 10 patents, and received the 2025 AIST John Bell Award for his impact on EAF technology.

Petrus Christiaan (Chris) Pistorius is POSCO Professor and co-director of the Center for Iron and Steelmaking Research in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. His research focuses on pyrometallurgy and solidification.

Presentation 3

Key Pain Points of Steelmaking Sustainability, Sara Hornby, Founder, Global Strategic Solutions Inc., and Ian Sutherland, Owner/Management Consultant, SystemZero Consulting Ltd.

Abstract:
This section will enumerate the challenges and opportunities that have emerged since the inception of "the green steel revolution" in 2015.

Presenter Bios:
Sara Hornby, founder of Global Strategic Solutions Inc., is a leading consultant driving innovation and sustainability in steelmaking. The first woman to earn a Ph.D. in industrial metallurgy from Sheffield Hallam University, she has held senior roles advancing EAF optimization and low-carbon technologies across global organizations. She holds five patents, has authored over 138 technical papers, and is a fellow of IoM3. Her contributions have earned numerous honors, including the AIST Benjamin Fairless, John Bell and 2025 Elliott Lecturer Awards, and an honorary doctorate in engineering.

Ian Sutherland is a management consultant and founder of SystemZero Consulting, specializing in industrial decarbonization, renewable energy and hydrogen systems. He helps organizations develop technology road maps and integrated solutions that reduce emissions and build resilience. Combining systems-level thinking with economic modeling, Sutherland turns net-zero strategies into actionable results.

Presentation 4

The Future of Steelmaking Sustainability, P. Chris Pistorius, POSCO Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, and Brittany Mackinnon, Process Engineer, Hatch

Abstract:
This section will identify future solutions and considerations important to address the most important sustainability challenges for future of steelmaking.

Presenter Bios:
Britt MacKinnon is a process engineer at Hatch who drives sustainable solutions in mining and metals processing. She is passionate about helping clients achieve operational excellence and decarbonization goals. MacKinnon is an active industry leader through her roles with AIST and MetSoc, where she champions innovation and sustainability. In recognition of her contributions, she received the 2021 AIST Presidential Citation for launching initiatives to advance sustainability, professional development and industry engagement.