The World Steel Association (worldsteel) today announced the new World Champions of the 19th steelChallenge. WU Xiao from HBIS Group Co., Ltd. in Asia North won in the industry category and LU Hezhong from Tangshan Vocational and Technical College of Science and Technology in Asia North won in the student category.
The World Championship of the 19th steelChallenge took place on 8 April 2025 in Sydney, Australia. The best players of the Regional Championship from the industry and student categories competed for the global title. The challenge was to produce high strength carbon steel to produce galvanised automotive steel sheet at the lowest cost using steeluniversity’s electric arc furnace and secondary steelmaking courses in a combined simulation. To reflect the steel industry’s commitment to reducing the carbon footprint of its operations, there were carbon footprint requirements for the steel grade.
Jorge Muract, Director, steeluniversity for worldsteel, said, “steelChallenge-19 is recognised around the world as the most prestigious steel competition engaging students and young industry professionals. Its emphasis on innovation, environmental sustainability, and social responsibility are reflective of the priorities of today’s steel industry. I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who participated in the challenge. You and people like you are the future of the steel industry.”
The 2025 World Champion in the student category, LU Hezhong said, “This was a really fantastic opportunity for me. I was so pleased to have made it to the finals and can’t believe that I won. I’m really passionate about the steel industry and this competition allowed me to show that. It’ll be a huge advantage to me when I’ve finished studying and start applying for jobs to say to my potential employers that I am a steelChallenge World Champion.”
WU Xiao, the World Champion in the industry category for 2025, said, “steelChallenge is a great way to represent my company to the global steel industry. I am a proud employee of HBIS Group Co., and I am pleased to be able to take the lessons I learned here back with me to continue to help the steel industry develop in a positive way.”
The Regional Champions receive the following prizes:
- Certificates for completing the electric arc furnace and secondary steelmaking courses
- Certificate for being Regional Champion
- €500
- Travel allowance to take part in the World Championship in Sydney, Australia
- iPad to run the steelmaking integrated simulator
- Recognition by worldsteel and steeluniversity
- Faculty advisors of the student champions also receive a travel allowance to observe the World Championship in Sydney, Australia, and a steeluniversity certificate of appreciation.
Additionally, the World Champions receive the following prizes:
- €500
- World Champion certificate
- steelChallenge-19 trophy
All registered participants received access to the electric arc furnace and secondary steelmaking courses, including e-learning, 3D interactive models and simulators. Registered participants completing the courses received completion certificates. Also, participants successfully completing a simulation run during steelChallenge-19 received a competition certificate.
The World Championship Finalists were:
| Industry category |
| Participant |
Affiliation |
Region |
| Carlos ARROYO |
Acerinox S.A. |
Europe and Africa |
| Leandro RODRIGUES RIBEIRO |
ArcelorMittal |
Americas |
| Amer Abdelkader Mohamed AMER |
EMSTEEL |
Asia – West |
| WU Xiao (吴潇) |
HBIS |
Asia – North |
| Boseong PARK (박보성) |
POSCO |
Asia – East and Oceania |
| Student category |
| Participant |
Affiliation |
Region |
| Ožbej MODRIJAN |
University of Ljubljana |
Europe and Africa |
| Daniel AQUER |
Universidade Federal do Ceará |
Americas |
| Vivek SOREN |
Shavak Nanavati Technical Institute |
Asia – West |
| LU Hezhong (卢贺忠 ) |
Tangshan Vocational College of Science and Technology |
Asia – North |
| Junho LEE (이준호) |
Jeonbuk National University |
Asia – East and Oceania |
More information on steelChallenge is available on the steeluniversity website.
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Notes
- steeluniversity is the education and training programme of the World Steel Association, delivering education and training to current and future employees of steel companies and related businesses.
- steelChallenge-19 is sponsored at the ‘Steel’ level by Alacero, Danieli, UNESID, JSW, POSCO and HBIS Group. Gerdau is a ‘Gold’ level sponsor. EMSTEEL, Korean Iron & Steel Association (KOSA), Tata Steel and Ternium are ‘Silver’ level sponsors. ArcelorMittal, Hadeed Saudi Iron & Steel Co., JFE Steel and Tenaris are ‘Bronze’ level sponsors.
- The World Steel Association (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.