The Regional Championship of steelChallenge-18 took place online for 24 hours on 29 November 2023. This year’s steelChallenge attracted 1,649 participants representing more than 50 companies and 77 academic institutions from 34 countries. They used steeluniversity’s steelmaking simulator to produce the best steel at the lowest cost while meeting carbon footprint requirements. The World Steel Association (worldsteel) is pleased to announce the finalists for the upcoming steelChallenge-18 World Championship in London, UK, in April 2024.
Jorge Muract, Director, steeluniversity, said, “More than just a competition, steelChallenge is a dynamic education programme that aims to engage students and professionals in the world of steelmaking, while leading the entire industry towards greeen and digital transformation. Participants were also challenged to meet carbon footprint requirements to underline our commitment to sustainable steelmaking. By embracing technology and sustainability, we’re shaping the future of the steel industry.”
The first-placed people in both the ‘industry’ and ‘student’ categories from each of the five regions will be invited to the World Championship in April 2024. In addition, all participants completing a successful run of the integrated simulator will receive a certificate of accomplishment.
steelChallenge-18 utilised steeluniversity’s electric arc furnace steelmaking and secondary steelmaking in a combined simulation. Participants were tasked to produce a grade of steel meeting technical requirements at the lowest cost per tonne with carbon footprint requirements. The simulation used a grade of steel specifically designed for steelChallenge-18.
All registered participants for steelChallenge-18 received access to the electric arc furnace and secondary steelmaking courses, including e-learning, 3D interactive models and simulators. In addition, there have been three masterclasses with worldwide recognised experts in the steel industry..
steelChallenge-18 is supported by 14 companies and associations, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to promoting innovation, education, and sustainability in the steel industry. steeluniversity would like to thank them for their support.
| Industry category |
| Participant |
Affiliation |
Region / Country |
| Katie ABRAHAM |
Tata Steel |
Europe and Africa / UK |
| Caio ANDRADE |
ArcelorMittal Pecém |
Americas / Brazil |
| Mihir MANDAL |
Tata Steel |
Asia – West / India |
| Wei Li BU (伟利部) |
HBIS Group Co. |
Asia – North / China |
| Jinho KANG |
Independent Consultant |
Asia – East and Oceania / South Korea |
| Student category |
| Participant |
Affiliation |
Region / Country |
| Matic BOBNAR |
University of Ljubljana |
Europe and Africa / Slovenia |
| João Pedro TABOSA |
Universidade Federal do Ceará |
Americas / Brazil |
| Srinivasan DHANARAJ |
Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad |
Asia – West / India |
| Cheng Jun HAN (城俊韩) |
Tangshan Vocational and Technical College of Science and Technology |
Asia – North / China |
| Ji Hyeok LEE |
Dong-A University |
Asia – East and Oceania / South Korea |
More information about steelChallenge-18 is available at https://steeluniversity.org/steelchallenge-18
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Notes to Editors:
- steeluniversity is worldsteel’s education and training programme, delivering education and training to current and future employees of steel companies and related businesses.
- steelChallenge-18 is sponsored at the ‘Steel’ level by the Asociación Latinoamericana del Acero (Alacero), Danieli, HBIS Group Co., Ltd. and POSCO Holdings. Gerdau S.A. and JSW Steel Limited are ‘Gold’ level sponsors. Emirates Steel Arkan, the Korean Iron & Steel Association (KOSA), Tata Steel and Ternium are ‘Silver’ level sponsors. ArcelorMittal, SABIC-Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (HADEED), JFE Steel Corporation and Tenaris are ‘Bronze’ level sponsors.
- worldsteel is one of the largest and most dynamic industry associations in the world, with members in every major steel-producing country. worldsteel represents steel producers, national and regional steel industry associations, and steel research institutes. Members represent around 85% of global steel production.