The Green Steel Challenge

Electrolysis is seen by many as being the end game of the Green Steel Challenge. In this episode, we sit down with Sandeep Nijhawa, CEO of Electra, one of the leaders in the use of “cold” hydrometallurgy to electrolyse iron-bearing ores to pure iron, with oxygen as the main by-product in a very low carbon process. He describes an enthralling journey so far for this Boulder, Colorado-base...

Much of the Green Steel Challenge is about reducing the amount of CO2-emitting coal used in the blast furnace to reduce iron ore. However, carbon itself is an essential component of steel, and this is an issue in EAFs where coke also usually has to be added to obtain the required quality of steel.  In this episode, we chat with John Mellowes, Cofounder of BioCarbon, an Australian start-u...

In this episode, we speak to Maria Persson Gulda, CTO of Stegra, formerly H2Greensteel, located in Boden, Northern Sweden. A much talked about start-up, Stegra will produce green steel in a fully integrated production process, using end-to-end digitalisation, electricity from fossil-free sources and green hydrogen instead of coal. This way, CO2 emissions will be reduced by up to 95 percent compare...

We are already halfway through Season 2 of the Green Steel Challenge. In this recap episode, Astrid, James, and Mike discuss the issues and points taken from these first six episodes. This covers, in particular, the roles of steel users in the transport, construction, and consumer goods sectors, as well as bringing in revolutionary technologies such as molten oxide electrolysis that will...

We welcome Nicole Voigt, Managing Director and Partner at the Boston Consulting Group known as BCG. Nicole is a member of the leadership team of the Materials & Process Industries practice area. She is the global lead for the metals topic for the firm and has deep expertise in working with clients in the steel and copper industry. Nicole also provides thought leadership to the steel industry r...

In this episode, we welcome George Adams, CEO and President of SA Recycling. With more than 140 locations, SA has the largest network of scrap metal facilities in the United States and is one of the world’s largest recyclers. He is also on the divisional board of The Bureau of International Recycling, known as the BIR. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The construction sector consumes about 50% of all steel in various forms around the world. It is a critical market for steel industry decarbonisation. Here, we talk to Alan Dunsmore, CEO of Severfield Ltd, one of the largest steel fabricators in Europe, on what the Green Steel Challenge means to him and his market. The implications are already profound, with construction clients and their contract...

In this episode, we speak to Tadeu Carneiro, CEO at Boston Metal, based in Woburn, Massachusetts in the US and Minas Gerais in Brazil. Boston Metal is unlocking a future of sustainable metals and green steel production with the commercialisation of its Molton Oxide Electrolysis (MOE) technology platform. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we welcome Andrea Fuder, Executive Vice President of Volvo Group Trucks Purchasing & Chief Purchasing Officer for Volvo Group, which is headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden. Volvo Trucks is part of the Volvo Group and is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of trucks, buses, construction equipment and marine and industrial engines. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...

The second season of The Green Steel Challenges launches with our guest Greg Murphy, General Counsel & Executive Vice President of Business Services & Sustainability at Nucor, based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Nucor is the largest steel and steel products producer in the US and the largest recycler of scrap in North America. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the not to be missed final episode join Astrid, Mike and James’s they dive into a dynamic recap of the Green Steel Challenge. Relive the highlights, discover key insights and hear firsthand what we have learned and experienced. Plus get a sneak peak into the hot issues that will ignite debate in the upcoming season. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 14 features Thomas Hansmann, CTO of SMS Group, one of the major equipment suppliers to the global steel and metals industry. We discuss how technology develops, especially in the world of decarbonisation, and how mature technologies such as blast furnaces can still adapt alongside very new technologies now under development. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 offe...

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 unde...

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 Aca...

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 ot...

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 tantal...

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...

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...

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 co...

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 in...

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...

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 ironmaki...

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-provoki...