Opportunities and Challenges in Steel Manufacturing: Engineering a Brighter Future The AIST 2008 Brimacombe Lecture

摘要

The steel industry has experienced several profitable years after having weathered difficult economic times. Today, the large number of consolidations and increased foreign investment have resulted in a steel industry that is leaner and more profitable but still in a state of corporate flux. During the last three years, China has doubled their steelmaking capacity while North America's capacity has not significantly changed. Steel related research has diminished with consolidations, reductions in research staff, and reduced government support. The industry has been successful in reducing costs and remaining competitive through implementing new technologies in steelmaking and casting. Today's steel industry faces a number of opportunities and challenges especially in North America. This lecture will discuss two of the major challenges and opportunities that face the steel industry today: issues related to people -attracting and keeping the best technical leaders in the steel industry, and issues related to sustainability research - continuing excellence in solving the steel industry's challenges in the areas of energy and the environment.