Registration and Coffee

Welcome and Introduction

Giacomo Mareschi Danieli, Chief Executive Officer, and Rolando Paolone, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Technical Officer, Danieli & C. S.p.A.

Ron Ashburn, Executive Director, AIST, and José Noldin, AIST European Member Chapter Chair and Chief Executive Officer, GravitHy

Transformation of the European Steel lndustry for Carbon Neutrality

The rebuilding of the European steel industry is well underway, with six green hydrogen-direct reduced iron (DRI) projects approved and 11 electric arc furnace (EAF) conversions in progress. Given the long-term projects so far, in combination with bridging technologies introduced at the production sites, it appears that the targeted 50% reduction in CO₂ emissions by 2030 is now secured. Still, much work remains. The panel will update attendees on the work completed to date and will give an outlook for the mid-term chances and challenges of the transformation.

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

Panelists:

• Andrea Bianchi, Chief Technical Officer, Arvedi Group
• Sebastian Börner, Technical Project Manager, Power4Steel, Stahl-Holding-Saar
• Thomas Bürgler, Chief Executive Officer, K-1 Met
• Soeke Helmers, Lead EAF, Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH
• Martin Pei, Senior Advisor, SSAB AB

Networking Break

Keynote Presentation

Antonio Marcegaglia, President and Chief Executive Officer, Marcegaglia 

Networking Lunch

Carbon-Free Energy Sources for the European Industry

How are energy-intensive sectors outside steel retooling for net zero? This panel convenes leaders from the aluminum, cement, refractory and lime industries to benchmark strategies, share lessons and assess scale-up pathways. We will examine the roles of green hydrogen, direct electrification, energy efficiency, and carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), alongside constraints in renewable power supply, H2 infrastructure and process requirements. By benchmarking approaches and economics, we aim to clarify near-term actions, longer-term technology bets and the market signals required to accelerate deployment, and which collaborations can unlock investable decarbonization pathways. 

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

• Alexander Fleischanderl, Chief Technology Officer and Head of Green Steel, Primetals Technologies Austria GmbH
• Gabriele Imparato, General Director, Unicalce SPA
• Lutz Weber, Managing Director, Alpacem
• Gabriele Guastaferro, Process Engineer, Danieli Research Center
• Christian Koulic, Global Market Executive Metals, TotalEnergies

Networking Break

Where and How Will Iron Be Made? Rethinking Feedstock and Geography in a Decarbonizing Steel Industry

Decarbonization is fundamentally reshaping both the location and form of iron production. The need to access low-cost, low-carbon energy, suitable raw materials and evolving scrap availability has necessitated the exploration of decoupling ironmaking from steelmaking. Meanwhile, global trade of merchant metallics such as pig iron and hot briquetted iron is expanding. The dominance of DR-grade pellets is under pressure from alternative feedstocks, agglomeration technologies and greater utilization of scrap as both a supplement and potential substitute. This panel will examine where iron will be produced, which feedstocks will prevail and whether merchant iron units can evolve from a niche market into a structural pillar of the global steel industry.

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

Panelists:

• Neeraj Singh, Plant Head, Jindal Steel Duqm
• Naota Furihata, General Manager Low Carbon Metallics Department, Iron Ore Division, Mitsui & Co., Ltd.
• Thomas Brown, Head of Business Development and Commercial Strategy, Binding Solutions Ltd.
• Jan Eisbacher-Lubensky, Chair of Ferrous Metallurgy, Montanuniversität Leoben 

Reception

Orchestra Concert

Nuova Orchestra Ferruccio Busoni (Trieste) 

Registration and Coffee

Welcome

Giacomo Mareschi Danieli, Chief Executive Officer, and Rolando Paolone, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Technical Officer, Danieli & C. S.p.A.

Industry Leader Panel 

Europe’s steel industry is confronting myriad challenges, from weak demand in key sectors including construction, automotive and manufacturing, alongside persistent global overcapacity and intensifying import competition. Producers are also navigating a rapidly evolving landscape shaped by decarbonization mandates, carbon border measures, trade and tariff protections, energy cost volatility, and geopolitical uncertainty. At the same time, companies on both sides of the Atlantic continue to invest in next-generation technologies and resilient supply chains to secure long-term competitiveness. In this session, senior industry leaders from Europe and North America will share perspectives on the market outlook, policy environment, investment priorities and the opportunities and challenges that will define the future of the global steel industry.

Moderator: John Ball, General Manager — Commercial, AIST

Panelists:

• Marco Di Giacomo, Chief Executive Officer, Acciaierie Bertoli Safau S.p.A.
• Dirk Francis, Chief Operating Officer, Primary, Cluster Dunkerque, ArcelorMittal France 
• Yury Krotov, General Manager, Engineered Bar Products Division, Steel Dynamics, Inc.

Networking Break

Women Shaping the Future of Steel: Leadership and Transformation in Europe

As the steel industry undergoes profound transformation driven by sustainability, technological innovation and evolving workforce dynamics, leadership, organizational culture and collaboration are becoming increasingly important. This panel brings together women leaders from across the steel value chain to discuss how companies can navigate change, develop future-ready teams and foster resilient organizations in an increasingly complex global environment. Drawing from their professional experiences, the panelists will exchange views on leadership, cross-functional collaboration and the value of diverse perspectives in driving innovation, attracting diverse talent and building inclusive workplace cultures that support the long-term success of the steel industry.

Moderator: Stacy Varmecky, General Manager — Operations, AIST

Panelists:

• Anna Mareschi Danieli, Vice Chairwoman, Acciaieire Bertoli Safau SpA and Member of the Board, 
  Danieli & C. S.p.A.
• Elena Petraskova, Vice President and General Counsel, NIPPON STEEL SLOVAKIA s. r. o.
• Nicole Voigt, Managing Director and Partner, Boston Consulting Group 

Danieli Student Scholarship Award Ceremony

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: Alberto Perin, Executive Vice President — Sales, Danieli & C. S.p.A.

Panelists:

• Marco Ferrone, Chief Operating Officer, Marcegaglia Plates S.p.A
  
• Bart Korink, Vice President, Head of Capital Projects, ArcelorMittal Europe
  
• Joachim Lehner, Head of Technical Processes, voestalpine Stahl GmbH
• Martin Pei, Senior Advisor, SSAB AB
• Martin Zappe, Managing Director for Sustainability and New Construction Projects, Hüttenwerke Krupp Mannesmann GmbH

Networking Break

Innovation in Plant Design

Innovation has long been a hallmark of steelmaking, and breakthrough technologies such as the newest generation of EAF and basic oxygen furnace, thin-slab casting and hydrogen-based direct reduction have propelled material quality, efficiency and sustainability. Today, AI-enabled processes and equipment could unlock even greater improvements. 
In this panel, representatives of the leading technology suppliers will highlight the innovations that they are developing to lower carbon emissions, improve safety and expand capabilities.

Moderator: Mauro Bianchi Ferri, Managing Director, Acciarium Srl

Panelists:

• Cristian Cattalini, Vice President, Steelmaking Center of Competence, SMS group
• Harald Holzgruber, Chief Executive Officer, President and Managing Director, INTECO melting and casting technologies GmbH
• Rolando Paolone, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Technical Officer, Danieli & C. S.p.A.
• Paolo Stagnoli, Sales and Marketing Director, Tenova S.p.A.
• Gerald Wimmer, Vice President Converter Steelmaking, Primetals Technologies Austria GmbH

Program Concludes 

Buses Depart from Spazio Villalta for Gala Dinner

Gala Dinner, Nonino Distillatori (pre-registration required)

Plant Tours (pre-registration required)

Buses will depart from Spazio Villalta 

• Acciaierie Bertoli Safau S.p.A. (ABS) and The Pittini Group 

• Arvedi Group,Trieste

*Please note program times and content are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, visit AIST.org/ESF.