Milan, 7 May 2019 - An invitation to remain human, while experiencing the technological revolution of the world's steel industry, which zeros in on reducing environmental impact and driving innovation in products, processes and services. This is the message from Made in Steel, the main Conference & Exhibition in Southern Europe dedicated to the steel industry that will take place at fieramilano Rho (Milan) from 14 to 16 May, entitled "STEEL HUMAN - Sustainability and innovation".

“The steel industry is undergoing sweeping changes on the back of major challenges affecting key sectors including the construction and automotive industries and the shrinking of global markets.  Given the current conjuncture, Made in Steel is tasked with setting the stage for a fruitful dialogue among the industry main players, to foster a productive exchange of experiences. This will be possible only if entrepreneurs and leaders in the steel industry look at the market not so much as a bloody battlefield, but rather as a place for sharing, cooperation and collaboration, to build together tomorrow’s innovative and sustainable steel industry” says Emanuele Morandi, president and CEO of Made in Steel.

INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY - According to the latest estimates of the siderweb Research Department, the expenditure for research and development in the steel industry, after income statement costs and not considering capital expenditure, is about 0.7% of turnover. A small share compared to other manufacturing sectors (electronics 8.9%, automotive 3.2%, machinery and mechanical equipment 2.8%).

Therefore, there is room for growth, even considering that 99% of the investments of the steel industry in 2017 was allocated to tangible fixed assets (according to the analysis of a sample of 144 companies, included in the siderweb study “Bilanci d’Acciaio 2018” - Steel Balance Sheets 2018). The delicate relationship between man and machine, machine to machine interactions, and additive manufacturing are also topics requiring further analysis.

Thanks to innovation, steel can reduce energy consumption, curb emissions and noise, and make use of different raw materials. In a nutshell: sustainability. According to data from the World Steel Association, over the last 50 years huge global investments in technology and research led to the development of ultra-resistant and ultra-light steels, reducing the weight of some products by up to 40%.

Furthermore, the steel industry has also dramatically reduced its energy consumption: today a ton of steel requires 60% less GJ compared to 1960. Greater efficiency has also been achieved in the use of raw materials, thanks to more flexible and more compact production chains contributing to reduced energy consumption.

MADE IN STEEL CONFERENCES - Over 40 Italian and international speakers will attend the main Made in Steel conferences to be held in the siderweb Conference Room, right at the heart of pavilions 22 and 24 at fieramilano Rho.

Speakers include key figures in the Italian and European steel production landscape  such as Alessandro Banzato, president Federacciai and CEO  Acciaierie Venete; Gianpietro Benedetti, president of  Danieli Group; Jon Bolton, director of Global Steel Development Liberty Steel; Fernando Espada, president of Eurometal; Antonio Gozzi, president of  Duferco Group; Matthieu Jehl, CEO of ArcelorMittal Italia; Antonio Marcegaglia, president of Marcegaglia Group; Giuseppe Pasini, president of Feralpi Group.

Market and protectionism, user industries, in particular automotive, and steel mills are some of the topics that will be addressed during the conferences.

The general meeting of Assofermet, the national association of distributors and dealers of steel, ferrous scrap and hardware, is also scheduled for Thursday 16 May.

Made in Steel - Press office
Elisa Bonomelli - Mail: press@madeinsteel.it
T. 030 254 00 06 - M. 392 1733 747
www.madeinsteel.it