Direct Reduced Iron Technology Committee Meeting

5–6 November 2025 • Courtyard by Marriott Fort Wayne Downtown at Grand Wayne Convention • Fort Wayne, IN, USA

►Agenda (PDF)
►Register or contact ldlugopolski@aist.org

Arrangements

Courtyard by Marriott Fort Wayne Downtown at Grand Wayne Convention
1150 S Harrison St, Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Reserve by 7 October for AIST Room Rate of $159

For reservations, book online

Wednesday November 5, 2025

Meeting Room:

  1. Continental Breakfast        8:00 a.m.
  2. Chair’s opening remarks—Angelo Manenti     9:00 a.m.
  3. Appoint minute-taker
  4. Antitrust guidelines
  5. Membership and attendance—Anna Voss
  6. Review minutes of previous meeting—A. Manenti
  7. AIST Staff Announcements—A. Voss
  8. Safety discussion and review of Steel Industry Fatalities
  9. Main agenda items
    • AISTech session development—Chris Pistorius
      • Review session structure including session titles & session chairs
      • Solicit volunteer for Session chairs
        1. Session Chair Role— This position supports the Papers Chair of the respective technology committee by communicating to the authors on topic content as well as on missing or late submission of required information. The Session Chairs will review and evaluate the paper and presentation files for content as well as for publication and awards (an evaluation form will be provided). Your AIST staff engineer will provide staff support to ensure your success in fulfilling the duties of a Session Chair. Session chairs are also on site at the AISTech conference in their session room to facilitate the flow of the session including introducing speakers, moderating question and answer sessions, as well as handing out certificates.
    • Review and approve AISTech call for papers for next year
      • The production of DR-grade pellets; lump ore (feedstock); different sources and treatment of reducing agents, including natural gas, hydrogen or other reductants; oxide coating; testing and analysis of raw materials; material handling; storage; shipping; process modeling, simulation and other digital aspects of direct reduction plants; catalytic, steam and self-reformers; gas distribution; refractory design and selection; solid flow issues; reduction and gas handling equipment; waste management; safety; environmental issues; CO2 recovery and use; value-in-use of DRI; product quality; plant operation and results; briquetting; DRI use in processes (blast furnace, EAF, BOF, foundries); and auxiliary systems, including water, gases and power.
    • Conference Planning—Zane Voss
    • Technology committee award planning
      • DRI Best Paper Award
      • Tadeusz Sendzimir Memorial Medal
        This recognition is for engineers who have made a major contribution to the steelmaking process, to the individual or individuals who have advanced steelmaking through the invention, development or application of new manufacturing processes or equipment.  

        Any nominee for this award needs to have a Technology Committee “sponsoring” the award by having the principal nominator be a member of an AIST Technology Committee and one of three required letters of endorsement must be from the Technology Committee chair. 

BREAK      10:30 a.m.

  • Review committee roundup, due June 2026 to be printed in August issue of IS&T—Richard Elliott
  • Update from Decarbonization Liaison—Vincent Chevrier
  • Update from Young Professional Liaisons—Judy Park & Rafaela Rezende Vieira Rapalo 
  1. Lunch Noon
  2. Discussion items 


    • Utilizing DRI / HBI directly in BF / BOF (operational aspects / productivity / green benefits)
    • Handling / transportation / storage of DRI / HBI for usage in BF / BOF
    • Fe availability and beneficiation constraints
    • HBI/DRI process
    • Other circular economies available
    • Panel discussion 

    1. Presentations
      1. Technological Change in Iron and Steel Production: Implications for Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Air Pollution, and Community Health, Judy Park, CMU
      2. Overview of Iron Dynamics - Butler, TBD
      3. Hatch
  3. Next meeting
  • 9 March 2025, 1-4pm before the Scrap Supplements & Alternative Ironmaking seminar—Orlando, FL
  1. Chair conclusion—A. Manenti
  2. Adjourn        4:00 p.m.

Thursday November 6, 2025

Meet in hotel lobby to carpool to Iron Dynamics - Butler, IN
Depart hotel by 8am
Approximately 45 min drive

Tour of Iron Dynamics - Butler, IN               9:00 a.m.

Address: 4500 Co Rd 59, Butler, IN 46721

Safety Gear Instructions:

Iron Dynamics will provide all safety gear required. However, please wear close-toed shoes and long pants (no shorts / skirts / etc.). Please wear something that can get a bit dirty. Please note this is a coal-based DRI plant – light colored khakis or things like that could become stained. We won’t intentionally walk anyone through mounds of dirt, but we could brush up against something.

Lunch served at Iron Dynamics      11:00 a.m.

Adjourn      Noon