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Structured netwroking sessionsat Middle East Iron & Steel 2025
This year’s conference features additional networking sessions built into the agenda that will allow participants to deep-dive into some of the industry’s most pressing topics in smaller groups and discuss these focus areas in depth.
Attendance at these sessions is open to all registered delegates; however, spaces are limited and advance registration is required.
Tuesday, November 18 | 09:50-10:30
✔️ How will CBAM reshape global steel trade patterns and investment decisions in the Middle East?
✔️ What opportunities exist for producers to differentiate through verified green steel exports?
✔️ How can regional certification and transparency frameworks align with EU and Asian requirements?
✔️ What role can partnerships with governments and offtakers play in securing market access?
Tuesday, November 18 | 11:00 – 11:50
✔️ How are shifting tariffs altering flows of semi-finished and finished steel into the region?
✔️ Can Middle Eastern producers strengthen resilience through bilateral agreements and regional blocs?
✔️ What lessons can be drawn from recent disputes in North America, Europe and Asia?
✔️ How should procurement and pricing strategies adapt to sudden tariff changes?
Tuesday, November 18 | 11:50 to 12:30
✔️ How are robotics, AI and digital twins transforming plant safety, uptime and output quality?
✔️ What measurable efficiency gains can be achieved from automation in DRI and EAF operations?
✔️ Where are the barriers to adoption in terms of cost, workforce training and legacy systems?
✔️ How can automation support both decarbonization and competitiveness?
Tuesday, November 18 | 2:00 – 2:45
✔️ What volumes of high-quality scrap will be available to the Middle East as demand accelerates?
✔️ How can regional collection, sorting and processing be scaled to global standards?
✔️ To what extent will competition from China, India and Europe constrain scrap imports?
✔️ What role can incentives, trade policy and technology play in building domestic scrap ecosystems?
Tuesday, November 18 | 2:45 – 3:30
✔️ How are the latest refractory designs improving campaign life and cutting unplanned downtime in Middle Eastern steel plants?
✔️ What role do digital monitoring and predictive maintenance play in optimizing refractory performance across blast furnaces, EAFs, and ladles?
✔️ Can new refractory materials and installation techniques materially reduce energy intensity and carbon emissions in steel production?
✔️ How are regional supply chains adapting to secure high-quality refractory inputs amid global cost and availability pressures?
Tuesday, November 18 | 4:00 – 4:45
✔️ How can Middle East producers secure consistent access to high-grade ore and pellets as global competition for DRI feedstock intensifies?
✔️ What innovations in DRI process technology (e.g. hydrogen-based reduction, energy integration) are proving most effective in lowering carbon intensity?
✔️ How are end-users weighing the cost, quality and emissions profile of DRI versus traditional scrap in their steelmaking mix?
✔️ What strategies can regional players adopt to build resilient DRI value chains, including partnerships across mining, energy, and steel production?
✔️ How can producers position themselves in premium markets where demand for green steel is rising?
✔️ What mix of hydrogen, renewables, and CCUS offers the most viable pathway for regional players?
✔️ Which financing and offtake models are proving most effective to de-risk green steel projects?
✔️ How should producers communicate carbon credentials to buyers in Europe, the US and Asia?
Wednesday, November 19 | 9:00 – 9:50
✔️ How are ports preparing for increased handling of DRI, hydrogen and alternative fuels?
✔️ What infrastructure upgrades are required to support bulk, container and green energy flows?
✔️ How can digitalization and smart logistics reduce bottlenecks and emissions?
✔️ To what extent will ports become competitive differentiators for steel exporters?
Wednesday, November 19 | 9:50-10:30
✔️ How are Chinese and Indian iron ore policies reshaping global benchmarks?
✔️ What are the implications of Brazilian, Australian and African supply expansions for the GCC?
✔️ How will pelletization, beneficiation and DR-grade requirements influence regional sourcing?
✔️ Could the Middle East play a larger role as a hub between Asia and emerging African suppliers?
Wednesday, November 19 | 11:00 – 11:50
✔️ How can CCU technologies be scaled economically to integrate with existing blast furnace and DRI operations in the Middle East?
✔️ What are the most promising technical innovations beyond CCU that could accelerate progress toward near-zero steelmaking?
✔️ Where are the barriers (cost, infrastructure, energy intensity) that could limit adoption, and how can they be overcome?
✔️ How will policy, carbon pricing and offtake markets shape investment decisions in CCU and advanced decarbonization technologies?
Wednesday, November 19 | 11:50 – 12:30
✔️ How is Iran securing access to high-quality iron ore reserves and developing pelletizing capacity to support domestic steel growth?
✔️ What impact are international sanctions, export restrictions and shifting trade corridors having on Iran’s steel exports and imports?
✔️ Where are Iranian producers investing in new technologies such as direct reduced iron (DRI), hydrogen-based steelmaking or low-carbon energy sources?
✔️ What role could Iran play in regional supply chains as demand grows for certified green steel across the Middle East, Europe and Asia?
Wednesday, November 19 | 2:00 – 2:45
Decarbonizing the steel industry is a complex task that involves many technical aspects and technologies throughout the entire production route, from raw materials to finished products. A holistic approach to reducing carbon emissions includes process efficiency, heat recovery systems, adopting integrated plant solutions, exploring carbon capture options, and utilizing alternative technologies using natural gas and/or hydrogen as energy sources. Digital solutions play an important role in managing the complexity of integrated plants by enhancing efficiency, optimizing logistics and training, as well as providing support for operations and maintenance, ultimately leading to cost savings.
This presentation explores how digitalization solutions are an integral part of the green transition, addressing key challenges across the various phases of transformation. It will highlight the importance of digitalization solutions for decarbonizing the steel industry. However, investing in green transition projects also creates opportunities for accelerating digital transformation.
Wednesday, November 19 | 2:45 – 3:30
As the world demand for DRI continues to increase, steelmakers in the GCC countries are uniquely positioned to lead the world in supply of green DRI. Innovative technology can provide the flexibility needed to profitably produce green DRI and will enable businesses to transition to 100% hydrogen-based DRI as hydrogen becomes available. This workshop took a deep dive into
✔️ New tech revolutionizing the industry
✔️ Global plant projects
✔️ Case study examples
Wednesday, November 19 | 4:00 – 4:45
✔️ How can steelmakers accelerate the path to net-zero while balancing rising energy costs and stricter regulations?
✔️ Which breakthrough technologies are proving most effective in reducing emissions, optimising water use and cutting waste?
✔️ How are automation and digitalization improving efficiency and product quality while delivering cost savings?
✔️ What role will resource management and circular economy models play in securing long-term competitiveness?
Wednesday, November 19 | 4:45 – 5:30
This workshop will explore the technological choices of our sister company, Ternium, for its new integrated steelmaking plant in Pesquería, Mexico, a landmark project combining innovation, sustainability, and productivity. Thanks to our close partnership, we will share a unique perspective that blends the insights of a technology provider and a steel producer. Topics include:
✔️ Key features of the Ternium Pesquería plant
✔️ Highlights of the Direct Reduction Plant (DRP) and large-scale EAF
✔️ Advanced process control and safety systems driving performance
Through real-world case studies, we will discuss how Ternium and other Tenova partners are tackling the challenges of today’s shifting steel landscape.