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THE GREEN STEEL CHALLENGE PODCAST
A brand new podcast, created by The Willy Korf Foundation and Kallanish Commodities, to invite conversation, ignite innovation and accelerate change in the steel industry.
NEVER MISS AN EPISODE
Ensure you are always up to date with the lastest release of The Green Steel Challenge podcast.
ABOUT THE PODCAST
The Green Steel Challenge
The Green Steel Challenge podcast aims to invite a conversation, ignite innovation and accelerate change within and around the steel industry, contributing significantly to the decarbonisation of this crucial material.
Steel, a fundamental component in everything from buildings and washing machines to wind turbines and electric vehicles, is pivotal for our transition to a carbon-neutral, circular economy.
However, the steel industry is responsible for approximately 7% of global carbon emissions. Just over half of the major steel companies worldwide have committed to carbon emissions reduction targets to achieve net zero. Low-carbon or zero-carbon steel production, often called ‘Green Steel’, promises a solution.
But how exactly can we deliver Green Steel? Which companies, technologies, and visionary leaders are at the forefront of this change? And what steps can we take to expedite progress?
Drawing inspiration from Willy Korf, the German entrepreneur known as a steel rebel and pioneer of the mini-mill and DRI, this podcast challenges the steel industry. Produced by The Willy Korf Foundation and Kallanish Commodities, both neutral entities deeply connected to the steel industry yet without direct commercial interests, we aim to be a platform for transformative ideas.
Each episode features Astrid Korf-Wolman, Willy Korf’s daughter, alongside Dr Mike Walsh, an independent consultant and project developer in the steel and special metals sector, and James Moss, strategy consultant and partner at First River Consulting.
Join us as we engage with thought-provoking industry leaders and innovators, appraising our current position and exploring pathways to hasten steel decarbonisation. Together, we strive to transform challenges into opportunities, fostering a community committed to the sustainable evolution of the steel industry.
Read the official press release for The Green Steel Challenge podcast here.
BROWSE EPISODES
THE GREEN STEEL CHALLENGE
LIVE EPISODES
- SEASON 1
- 25/06/2024
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.
- SEASON 1
- 11/06/2024
Episode 14 features Thomas Hansmann, CTO of SMS Group, one of the major equipment suppliers to the global steel and metals industry.
- SEASON 1
- 28/05/2024
Episode 13 is our first discussion with ArcelorMittal, the world’s largest steel company outside of China. This discussion is with Irina Gorbounova who is VP President M & A and Head of the ArcelorMittal XCarb Innovation Fund.
- SEASON 1
- 14/05/2024
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.
- SEASON 1
- 30/04/2024
In Episode 11 Mario Arvedi Caldonazzo, CEO of Italian based Arvedi Group talks about how about his group is unique within Europe in already being established as an EAF based flat products producer, like the mini mills of North America.
- SEASON 1
- 16/04/2024
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 to other regions of the world.
- SEASON 1
- 02/04/2024
- SEASON 1
- 19/03/2024
World Steel Dynamics has recently produced one of the first comprehensive reports on the likely pathways to decarbonizing for the steel industry and in this episode John describes and comments on the findings of the report.
- SEASON 1
- 05/03/2024
In episode 7, James, Mike and Astrid discuss and recap the first six episodes of The Green Steel Challenge Podcast.
- SEASON 1
- 20/02/2024
André Bier Gerdau Johannpeter is the Vice Chaiman 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.
- SEASON 1
- 06/02/2024
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.
- SEASON 1
- 23/01/2024
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.
- SEASON 1
- 09/01/2024
Hybar is 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 a scrap metal recycling steel rebar mill.
- SEASON 1
- 12/12/2023
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.
- SEASON 1
- 27/11/2023
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 World Steel Association.
COMING SOON
MEET THE HOSTS
AND MEET OUR GUEST SPEAKERS
THE STEEL INDUSTRY EXPERTS
Simon Farry
- HEAD OF STEEL DECARBONISATION
- RIO TINTO
Simon Farry is Rio Tinto’s Head of Steel Decarbonisation. In his role, Simon has accountability for leading Rio Tinto’s efforts to reduce iron ore Scope 3 emissions.
Anne-Marie Grossmann
- Member of Management
- GMH Gruppe
Dr. Anne-Marie Grossmann is a key leader at GMH Gruppe, a prominent player in the steel industry. With over 6,000 employees and a global clientele, GMH Gruppe is dedicated to sustainable industry practices.
Mario Caldonazzo
- CEO
- Arvedi Group
Mario Caldonazzo graduated in 1991 from the University of Pavia with a degree in Business and Economics. Before entering the steelmaking business of his uncle, Giovanni Arvedi, he gained experience working for leading European traders and manufacturers.
Irina Gorbounova
- Head of XCarb Innovation Fund
- ArcelorMittal
Irina Gorbounova is a senior leader focused on sustainability, impact investments, and decarbonisation. At ArcelorMittal, the world’s leading steel and mining company, she is responsible for executing strategic M&A deals and sustainable ventures in steel and mining.
Gunnar Groebler
- CEO
- Salzgitter
Gunnar Groebler, born 1972, studied mechanical engineering at RWTH Aachen University. He embarked on his career in 1999 in the Corporate Development department of Berlin-based VEAG Vereinigte Energiewerke AG.
Thomas Hansmann
- CTO
- SMS Group
Thomas Hansmann has been CTO of the management of the SMS group based in Düsseldorf since 2023. As the global market leader in metallurgical plant engineering, SMS employs around 14,600 people worldwide and achieved sales of more than 3.1 billion euros in 2022.
Edwin Basson
- DIRECTOR GENERAL
- WORLD STEEL ASSOCIATION
Edwin joined the steel industry in 1994 as Chief Economist at Iscor Ltd. in South Africa and joined World Steel Association in August 2011 as Director General
Åsa Ekdahl
- ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATE CHANGE
- WORLD STEEL ASSOCIATION
Åsa utilises 20 years experience in the steel industry to advise on environmental challenges as Head of Environment & Climate Change at the World Steel Association.
Stephen Montague
- CEO
- MIDREX
Stephen joined Midrex Technologies as a co-op student in 1987. Stephen was appointed President and COO in 2016, he was Vice President – Sales & Marketing and CEO in 2017.
David Stickler
- CEO
- HYBAR
David serves as CEO at Hybar, formed in August 2023 when the company secured $700 million to build an innovative scrap metal recycling steel rebar mill in northeast Arkansas.
Sajjan Jindal
- CHAIRMAN & MANAGING DIRECTOR
- JSW STEEL
Sajjan has led the Steel industry and JSW in particular on a transformational journey, contributing significantly to India’s growth philosophy.
Giacomo Mareschi Danieli
- CEO
- DANIELI GROUP
Part of the Danieli managing board since 2009, Giacomo was appointed Chief Executive Office of Danieli & C. and member of the Danieli Group Executive Board in 2017.
