Join us in Episode 13 for our discussion with Irina Gorbounova, VP President M&A and Head of the ArcelorMittal XCarb Innovation Fund. This venture capital fund is focused on new companies in all regions of the world developing breakthrough technologies that will accelerate the steel industry’s transition to carbon-neutral steelmaking. It has already invested over $150 million. The episode offers unique insights into the ongoing industrial revolution and how the process of applying innovation is changing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Episode 12 we hear from Gunnar Groebler, CEO of Salzgitter Group. The Salzgitter Flachstahl integrated site is the European leader in converting from coal-based blast furnace production to renewable-powered EAF production based on H2-fuelled DRI as a raw material.The challenges for this transformation are truly immense, especially within Europe, and the discussion around it is critical to understanding the wider regional implications of the Green Steel Challenge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Episode 11, Mario Arvedi Caldonazzo, CEO of Italian-based Arvedi Group, talks about how his group is unique within Europe in already being established as an EAF-based flat products producer, like the mini mills of North America.He talks about how the entrepreneurial spirit of his business and its technology capability allows it to respond dynamically to The Green Steel Challenge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 10 features Dr Anne-Marie Grossmann, Board Member of the German special producer GMH. Germany and its steel industry is perhaps at the forefront of the current revolution occurring in response to The Green Steel Challenge. In this episode Dr Anne-Marie Grossmann presents a clear and honest appraisal of what is happening in Germany which then has huge relevance to Europe and subsequently other regions of the world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Episode 9, we welcome Simon Farry, Head of Steel Decarbonisation at Rio Tinto. This is our first dedicated episode featuring an upstream miner and it offers a captivating view on the role of iron ore mining in the Green Steel Challenge. The discussion covers both the Atlantic and Asian markets that concern Rio Tinto whilst diving into the new technologies and business models that offer a tantalising look at a completely redesigned global iron and steel industry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John Lichtenstein is the Managing Partner at World Steel Dynamics, a globally-known, US-based steel industry information provider and consultancy. World Steel Dynamics has recently produced one of the first comprehensive reports on the likely pathways to decarbonising for the steel industry and in this episode John describes and comments on the findings of the report and highlights that by 2030 we’ll only just at the starting line for decarbonisation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 7, James, Mike and Astrid discuss and recap the first six episodes of The Green Steel Challenge Podcast. They talk about what they have learnt and experienced and touch on some of the issues that will be debated in upcoming episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

André Bier Gerdau Johannpeter is the Vice Chariman of the Board of Directors and former CEO of Gerdau, the largest steel producer in South America as well as a major special steel producer in North America. Gerdau is a truly regional steel player that operates both iron ore and scrap-based steel production assets. André brings to the conversation this special perspective and provides insights into how in Brazil, with its many resources and unique obstacles, Gerdau manages its environmental commitments in fundamentally different legislations and how radically new raw materials, products and thinking can be brought to bear on the green steel challenge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we hear from Giacomo Mareschi Danieli, the CEO of Italy-based Danieli group, a key equipment supplier to the global steel industry as well as a steel producer. Giacomo explains what steel decarbonisation means from a technological perspective in this fascinating discussion on what will drive the green revolution.He describes how new technologies are shifting steel production to completely new regions of the world such as Southern California and Australia. He also discusses the challenges that lie ahead for the industry at large and how they will be addressed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 4 we hear from Sajjan Jindal, the Chairman & Managing Director of JSW Steel, one of the largest steel producers within what is now the most dynamic and exciting steel market in the world. India will see the biggest growth in steel production and consumption of any region of the world in the next 50 -10 years. It has to do so while improving its relative carbon footprint. As a key industrial player in India, JSW is at the centre of that process.Sajjan Jindal offers his insights into how his company and the Indian steel industry will develop over the next 30 years. Global steel decarbonisation depends critically on the role India will play and this discussion provides fascinating visions of how this will evolve. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 3 focuses on Hybar, a new venture that aims to become the most cost-efficient and most environmentally sustainable rebar producer in North America. In 2023, Hybar raised $700 million to build and operate a scrap metal recycling steel rebar mill. David Stickler, CEO of Hybar, describes his project, currently under way in Arkansas, and the role it will play in low carbon steel production. He describes lucidly the technical and business transformation of the North American steel industry over the last 30 years and offers an honest and revealing comparison to that of the European steel industry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the second episode, Astrid, Mike and James interview Stephen Montague, the CEO of Midrex Technologies, a globally renowned, US-based steel plant designer and developer specialised in Direct Reduction Iron (DRI) processes. Midrex and its DRI technology are a critical part of the Green Steel Challenge. Owned by Japanese steelmaker Kobe Steel, Midrex has a strong research focus on low CO2 ironmaking. In 2022, it partnered with Sweden’s H2 Green Steel to supply them technology for a DRI plant running fully on hydrogen.This episode is an open and fascinating appraisal of the role that this company – a company jointly founded by Willy Korf – will play in the decarbonisation of the steel industry around the world. Montague offers a unique insight into how and where steel will be produced and the key issues and constraints in achieving society’s aims. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this first episode of the Green Steel Challenge Podcast, Astrid Korf-Wolman, alongside co-hosts Dr Mike Walsh and James Moss, warmly welcome Edwin Basson and Åsa Ekdahl from WorldSteel - the world's largest steel association with members representing some 85% of global steel production. They discuss the ambitious journey of decarbonising the global steel industry and dive into a thought-provoking debate around innovative technological advancements, the significance of cross-sector collaboration, and the hurdles lying in the path towards Green Steel.This episode illuminates the evolving narrative of steel transitioning from a major carbon emitter to a greener operation, offering a blend of expert insights, candid dialogue, and a peek into the promising future of sustainable steel production. Our guests shed light on global sustainability endeavours within the steel sector, making this episode a pivotal piece in understanding the Green Steel challenge from a global perspective. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Each episode features Astrid Korf-Wolman, Willy Korf’s daughter, alongside Dr Mike Walsh, an independent consultant and project developer in the steel and special metals sector, and James Moss, strategy consultant and partner at First River Consulting.Join us as we engage with thought-provoking industry leaders and innovators, appraising our current position and exploring pathways to hasten steel decarbonisation. Together, we strive to transform challenges into opportunities, fostering a community committed to the sustainable evolution of the steel industry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.