Ternium was present at the 25th IAS Steel Conference 2024, which featured discussions on innovation, decarbonization, and leadership.
From October 1 to 3, the 25th Conference and Exhibition of the Argentine Institute of Steel (IAS) took place in the city of Rosario. This key event for the sector brings together leaders, executives, and experts from the industry, serving as a platform for the exchange of ideas and strategies aimed at more efficient and sustainable production.
The first day opened with a keynote address by Javier Martínez Álvarez, President of Tenaris South America, who spoke about the geopolitical transformation currently underway, highlighting the challenges companies face in adapting to a more fragmented environment.
A highlight of the first day was the panel on talent management, where Marcelo Ciotti, Global Director of Ternium University, shared his insights on new work dynamics. “Today, a professional career is a co-construction, where the employee is the protagonist,” Ciotti stated, referring to the coexistence of up to four different generations in the workplace.
The second day of the IAS included participation from Martín Berardi, President of Ternium Argentina, at the Executive Steel Forum alongside Federico Amos, CEO of ArcelorMittal Acindar and ArcelorMittal Costa Rica, and Guillermo Maglieri, Executive Director of Gerdau Argentina and Uruguay.
Berardi addressed the economic challenges and the need to enhance competitiveness in the Argentine steel industry. “We face a competitiveness challenge. We are moving toward a more open country and a more competitive scenario. Our industry needs to gain competitiveness,” he analyzed.
Regarding sustainability, the President of Ternium Argentina emphasized the importance of an aggressive and concrete decarbonization agenda: “We are building a wind farm in Olavarría, where the energy we used to purchase from the system will now be injected back into the grid for us to consume again. As an industry, we must recognize that we face a significant challenge in our process.”
The third and final day featured Carolina Bengochea, Environment Director of Ternium, who elaborated on the company's decarbonization strategy and highlighted the actions they are implementing to achieve environmental impact reduction goals for 2030.
There was also a decarbonization panel moderated by Fernando Actis, Global Research Development & Intellectual Property Vice President of Ternium, featuring Francesco Memoli, President & CEO of Tenova Inc.; Andrew Purvis, Director of Sustainable Manufacturing at worldsteel; Massimiliano Zampa, VP of Danieli Group; and Stephen Montague, President & COO of Midrex Technologies.
Actis delivered an opening speech and noted, “The challenge we face is enormous; we are under significant pressure from those responsible for enforcing sanctions and new policies regarding emissions. The path to decarbonization is not linear and requires great effort and leadership.”
In his participation, Memoli emphasized Argentina's privileged position regarding renewable energies and the crucial role of governments in facilitating the energy transition: “With some adjustments, we can stop relying on gas for many of our productions. We need legislation to determine when and how quickly this transition will occur.”
Throughout the event, several Ternium professionals, including Alejandro Martín, Abel Vela, Jorgelina Pérez, and Mauro Sanchez, were recognized for their contributions to optimizing steel production at the San Nicolás plant, while Nahuel Chiodo was highlighted for his work in cleaning gases from the BOF converter. Additionally, recognition was given for career achievements to Walter Balante, Senior Director of Steelmaking Operations, and Pablo Marinelli, Senior Manager of Refractories Technology Process.