AIST's Annual Trade Show to See One of Its Best Turnouts
05/15/2016 - More than 7,500 people are expected to attend the Association for Iron & Steel Technology’s annual conference and exposition, AISTech, which informally opened Sunday in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Now in its 13th year under AIST’s management, the show is likely to record the fourth-best turnout in its history, according to AIST executive director Ronald Ashburn. And that is in spite of the industry downturn that has impacted steelmakers the world over, he said.
AIST board president George J. Koenig said the show is taking place at a pivotal moment in the industry, one that arrives upon some winds of unexpected optimism in the steel markets.
Koenig, who also is a director for the global iron and steel unit of Hatch Associates Inc., pointed out that steel prices have begun to rise significantly as the volume of steel imports has declined.
And, he added, the government appears to be finally addressing the illegally dumped steel that has harmed the domestic industry. Meanwhile, producers are growing a bit more confident that the market will support higher capacity utilization rates, which, in turn, will help cover the cost of capital and provide for the industry’s long-term survival, he said.
However, many challenges remain, especially in regard to China and the country’s excess steelmaking capacity. And it is not yet clear whether the industry has entered a full recovery.
“The question in mind is: Is this sustainable?” Koenig said.
He suspects many others will be asking that during the next four days. For those seeking an answer, the show might be the place to find it.
Koenig said AISTech will provide an opportunity for attendees to meet with industry colleagues, hear updates from senior executives and learn more about the issues in the marketplace.
On the technology side, Ashburn said the conversation will continue over energy conservation, environmental protection and yield improvement.
“From the spray nozzle manufacturer to the blast furnace supplier, incremental improvement and wringing out every ounce of efficiency continues to be the focus,” he said.
The show opened with the annual AIST Foundation golf outing on Sunday. The conference and exhibit hall will open Monday, when Deakin University professor Peter D. Hodgson will deliver the J. Keith Brimacombe lecture.
Hodgson is the interim deputy vice chancellor of research at the Australian university. He’ll be delivering a talk on nanoscale steel engineering.
On Tuesday, United States Steel Corporation chief executive Mario Longhi will discuss the future of steelmaking during the during the annual President’s Award Breakfast.
And on Wednesday, six of the industry’s top executives will be sharing their thoughts on the state of the industry during the Town Hall Forum panel discussion.
AIST board president George J. Koenig said the show is taking place at a pivotal moment in the industry, one that arrives upon some winds of unexpected optimism in the steel markets.
Koenig, who also is a director for the global iron and steel unit of Hatch Associates Inc., pointed out that steel prices have begun to rise significantly as the volume of steel imports has declined.
And, he added, the government appears to be finally addressing the illegally dumped steel that has harmed the domestic industry. Meanwhile, producers are growing a bit more confident that the market will support higher capacity utilization rates, which, in turn, will help cover the cost of capital and provide for the industry’s long-term survival, he said.
However, many challenges remain, especially in regard to China and the country’s excess steelmaking capacity. And it is not yet clear whether the industry has entered a full recovery.
“The question in mind is: Is this sustainable?” Koenig said.
He suspects many others will be asking that during the next four days. For those seeking an answer, the show might be the place to find it.
Koenig said AISTech will provide an opportunity for attendees to meet with industry colleagues, hear updates from senior executives and learn more about the issues in the marketplace.
On the technology side, Ashburn said the conversation will continue over energy conservation, environmental protection and yield improvement.
“From the spray nozzle manufacturer to the blast furnace supplier, incremental improvement and wringing out every ounce of efficiency continues to be the focus,” he said.
The show opened with the annual AIST Foundation golf outing on Sunday. The conference and exhibit hall will open Monday, when Deakin University professor Peter D. Hodgson will deliver the J. Keith Brimacombe lecture.
Hodgson is the interim deputy vice chancellor of research at the Australian university. He’ll be delivering a talk on nanoscale steel engineering.
On Tuesday, United States Steel Corporation chief executive Mario Longhi will discuss the future of steelmaking during the during the annual President’s Award Breakfast.
And on Wednesday, six of the industry’s top executives will be sharing their thoughts on the state of the industry during the Town Hall Forum panel discussion.
