International Steel Week: strategic meeting with global leaders in the steel sector

The  steel industry has a key date in its calendar, from 21 to 23 October at  International Steel Week, an initiative born from the alliance between  Steel Tech, Congress & Expo, and European Steel Forum. The  collaboration between the two events, which will share the entire  first-day programme, will give rise to a leading international meeting  that will position Biscay and the Basque Country as the world epicentre  of the steel industry, where global leaders will debate the main  challenges facing the sector. This gathering will foster unique  synergies, promoting knowledge exchange, international cooperation and  the development of innovative solutions. This is a pioneering platform,  the result of an agreement between Siderex, Bilbao Exhibition Centre and  AIST.

Based in the United States, AIST (the Association for Iron &  Steel Technology) promotes the technological development of the iron and  steel industry through training, research and connections between  professionals in the sector. It also organises the European Steel Forum,  a meeting that brings together experts from more than 30 countries and  which this year will hold its most multinational edition.

For its part, Steel Tech, Congress & Expo has established itself  as a leading event in southern Europe due to its technical focus and its  commitment to innovation in the steel sector. It is organised by  Siderex, the Steel Cluster Association, and Bilbao Exhibition Centre,  with the collaboration of UNESID.

Thus, International Steel Week will take place over three days and  will be a unique international experience. It will kick off on 21  October at BEC with a combination of conference and exhibition that will  offer a cross-cutting and strategic approach, addressing the main  global challenges and opportunities in the sector. The conference  programme for this first day will include an analysis of the world  economic context and an international overview of the steel industry.  The presentations will be grouped into three thematic blocks: the  transformation of the European industry towards carbon neutrality;  carbon-free energy sources for the European steel industry; and global  strategies for the supply of iron, a strategic resource whose balance of  availability, quality and cost is key to sustainable steel production.  The conference will combine executive-level dialogues, technical panels  and presentations based on cutting-edge research.

On 22 October, Steel Tech, Congress & Expo, will continue its  conference format with a more technical programme that will address  topics such as the situation regarding the European steel sector,  decarbonisation: supplies and processes, as well as artificial  intelligence as applied to the steel sector.

A gala dinner will be held that same evening, as part of the International Steel Forum, where the prestigious Steel Tech Awards, which recognise innovation and leadership in the sector, will be presented.

Alongside and in parallel to the conference, International Steel Week will have an exclusive exhibition area that  will bring together leading steel mills, engineering firms, suppliers  and suppliers in the sector. This space will serve as a showcase where  participants can present their latest technological developments,  products and innovative solutions, as well as to reinforce their  strategic positioning in the steel sector. It will also offer an ideal  environment to promote networking, generate opportunities for  collaboration and strengthen high-value business relationships.  International Steel Week will also include an agenda of parallel  activities designed to foster strategic connections between industry  professionals.

On 23 October, International Steel Week will culminate with technical visits to  key companies and infrastructure in the sector. This activity will  provide first-hand knowledge of the facilities, processes and  technologies that are shaping the future of the steel industry. Besides  directly showing progress in production and sustainability in Biscay and  the Basque Country, these visits will help to strengthen international  connections and generate new opportunities for collaboration and  networking.

The target audience of International Steel Week is the entire value  chain of the steel sector, from steel mills, engineering companies and  technology centres to suppliers of equipment, services and solutions.  The event also focuses on startups and technology developers  specialising in the steel industry.

Steel Tech, Congress & Expo is organised by Bilbao Exhibition  Centre and Siderex, with the backing of the Provincial Council of  Biscay, ICEX and SPRI as Institutional Partners and the collaboration of  UNESID.