World Steel announces shortlist for the 16th Steelie Awards

by David Fleschen

The World Steel Association (worldsteel) has unveiled the shortlist for the 16th annual Steelie Awards, celebrating outstanding achievements and contributions to the global steel industry. Winners will be announced on Monday, 13 October, during the association’s annual gathering.

The Steelie Awards recognise excellence across six key categories that reflect the sector’s progress in innovation, sustainability, decarbonisation, and people development. This year’s finalists represent a broad cross-section of global steelmakers, each advancing critical transformations within the industry.

Finalists by category:

Excellence in Low-Carbon Steel Production

  • ArcelorMittal Torero – Large-scale demonstration upgrading wood waste into renewable fuel

  • China Baowu – Ironmaking optimisation with third-generation pelletising

  • EMSTEEL – Multi-lever net-zero strategy

  • JSW Steel – SEED: Sustainable energy, environment, and decarbonisation program

Innovation of the Year

  • Hyundai Steel – 1.8GPa zinc-coated ultra-high-strength hot-stamping material

  • InfraBuild – SENSE 600: Low-embodied carbon reinforcing steel

  • JFE Steel – Sour-resistant low-alloy steel for energy infrastructure

  • JFE Steel – J-Lecoa™: AI-driven hot strip mill control

  • POSCO – Ni-free high manganese steel for cryogenic energy use

Excellence in Sustainability

  • China Steel Corporation (CSC) – Zhong Neng offshore wind farm

  • EMSTEEL – ESG impact mapping and responsible sourcing

  • Gerdau – Recovery efforts in Rio Grande do Sul after climate disaster

  • HBIS Group – Circular economy in EAF process and urban synergy

  • Hyundai Steel – Industrial byproduct reuse

  • Mobarakeh Steel – Sludge valorisation through sustainable innovation

  • Ternium – Renewable energy initiative in Argentina

Excellence in Life Cycle Assessment

  • ArcelorMittal – LCA in AI-based structural optimisation

  • CITIC Pacific Special Steel – LCA-based product innovation and branding

  • HBIS Group – LCA + Well-Being Index system for decorative products

  • Jingye Group – PCR use in metal powder research

  • JSW Steel – LCA analysis for green hydrogen integration in DRI plants

  • POSCO – CEFacT platform for industry decarbonisation

Excellence in People

  • ArcelorMittal – Support for army veterans and employee families

  • China Steel Corporation (CSC) – Digital twin–based training and assistance

  • JSW Steel – Talent development and innovation strategy

  • POSCO – TL advancement for sustainable workforce

  • Tata Steel – Forging futures through safety and skills development

  • Ternium – Inclusion policies across industrial operations

Excellence in Communications Programmes

  • ArcelorMittal – Paris 2024 Olympic & Paralympic campaign

  • Gerdau – “Steel is POP” with Chilli Beans at Rock in Rio

  • JSW Steel – Empowering MSMEs

  • Tenaris – “Safety in First Person” and 70th anniversary campaign

  • Ternium – “Tomorrow, Santa Cruz” documentary

  • UNESID – #WomenOfSteel / #MujeresDeAcero

  • U.S. Steel – “I Live Here, Too”

The selection process varies by category and typically involves nominations through worldsteel committees, followed by review and evaluation by independent expert panels.

Source: Worldsteel, Photo: Fotolia