Jacob Lewis (left) presented Mike Cooke (right) with the PRTC service plaque.

The PRTC met 8 May 2023, Detroit, MI, USA.
The following officers were elected:

• Chair: Mike Cooke - SSAB Iowa Inc.

• Vice Chair: Jacob Lewis - Nucor Steel Brandenburg

• Papers Co-Chairs: Joao Lino - Nucor Steel Brandenburg, and Jacob Ecklund - SSAB Americas

• Education Co-Chairs: Qiulin Yu  »  Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa Inc., and Tanya Ros - Cleveland-Cliffs Research & Innovation Center

• Young Professional Co-Chairs: Jacob Ecklund - SSAB Americas, and Tyler DeLong - Allor Manufacturing Inc.

• Roundup Chair: Damian Brennan - American Heavy Plate

• Decarbonization Liaison: Matt Druciak - Tenova Inc.

The PRTC met 27–28 March 2023, Rolla, Mo., USA.
The PRTC met on the campus of Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) in Rolla, Mo., USA, as guests of the Materials Science and Engineering Department. 

Missouri S&T assistant professor Mario Buchely, who is leading plate studies on the Missouri S&T campus, invited the committee to see their new expansion of research and testing capabilities. The group completed a walking tour, with guidance from associate professor Laura Bartlett, and saw the new 18-inch-wide single-stand rolling mill test bay that is currently under construction. The group heard presentations on current research from several Missouri S&T graduate students, including Bohong Zhang, Barshan Saha, Viraj Athavale and Princewill Ojiako. Ron O’Malley opened the meeting with an overview presentation of the department’s goals.

While unable to attend the meeting in person, PRTC papers chair Doug Stalheim provided a report on the committee’s two technical sessions scheduled for AISTech 2023. The committee then solicited nominations for 2023–2024 officers. Finally, the group discussed candidates for the Norman D. Hodgson Outstanding Achievement Award.

Members of the Plate Rolling Technology Committee toured Missouri University of Science and Technology’s new research and testing facilities during their meeting 27–28 March 2023 (left to right): Joao Lino, Tanya Ros, Jacob Eckland, Becky Hites, Michael Cooke, Dengqi Bai, Mario Buchely and Viraj Athavale.

Michael Cooke (left) presented a plaque of appreciation to Don Hunter (right) for hosting the PRTC’s tour of EVRAZ Portland.

The PRTC met 18–19 October 2022, Portland, Ore., USA
Conference planning co-chair Tanya Ros led a review of the Hot Sheet and Plate Rolling Fundamentals training course.
Papers chair Doug Stalheim requested new abstracts to be submitted for AISTech 2023 before the sessions are finalized. Volunteers were solicited for session chairs.
An in-depth safety discussion was held, with a review of the Steel Industry Fatalities Report. Decarbonization liaison Matt Druciak discussed a few specific topics of interest to the plate community. 
The PRTC plans to arrange for virtual nominees and voting to nominate a candidate for the Norman D. Hodgson Outstanding Achievement Award.
To fill the vacancy in the PRTC’s chair position, Michael Cooke has agreed to fill the rest of the term through AISTech.

Jacob Lewis (left) presented the PRTC service plaque to  Andrew Smith (right).

The PRTC met 16 May 2022, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
The following officers were elected:

• Chair: Andrew Smith  /  SSAB Alabama

• Vice Chair: Jacob Lewis  /  Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa Inc.

• Papers Chair: Doug Stalheim  /  DGS Metallurgical Solutions

• Young Professional Chair: Tyler DeLong  /  Allor Manufacturing Inc./Plesh Industries Inc.

• Education Co-Chairs: Qiulin Yu  /  Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa Inc., and Andrew Smith  /  SSAB Alabama

• Roundup Chair: Damian Brennan /  American Heavy Plate

• Digital Transformation Liaison: Jeffrey Mason /  Mason & Associates

• Decarbonization Liaisons: Andrew Smith  /  SSAB Alabama, and Matt Druciak  /  Tenova Inc.

The PRTC met 8 March 2022, virtual meeting
Andrew Smith, PRTC chair, opened the teleconference with a round of introductions.
PRTC papers chair Doug Stalheim then reviewed the committee’s technical session planned for AISTech 2022 and re-emphasized the duties of session chairs. With much activity in the last four months, the Surface Quality Subcommittee has developed a question-and-answer portion for one AISTech 2022 presentation which will actively solicit comments on existing ASTM A06 Section 9 and ASTM A941 standards and a re-focus on hot-rolled plate surface quality with the end-user application in mind.
Committee members were encouraged to submit nominations for the 2023 Norman D. Hodgson Outstanding Achievement Award.
PRTC education co-chairs Qiulin Yu and Tanya Ros covered details about the upcoming Hot Sheet and Plate Rolling Fundamentals — Practical Training Seminar, which is organized jointly with the HSRTC. The course is scheduled for 19–22 September 2022 in Starkville, Miss., USA, with tours of Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa Inc. and Steel Dynamics Inc. – Flat Roll Group Columbus Division.
Instead of closing with formal technical presentations, long-time member Rich Smith led a general discussion about the newly installed leveler in the 206-inch plate mill at Cleveland-Cliffs Coatesville.

The PRTC met 5 October 2021, Panama City, Fla., USA.
PRTC chair Andrew Smith covered PRTC business items with a combination of in-person and virtual attendees. This included a review of the extensive list of abstracts submitted for AISTech 2022, which has been organized by Doug Stalheim. 
The remainder of the meeting focused on recent activity by two separate subcommittees. The first activity was to kick off the planning for Hot Sheet and Plate Rolling Fundamentals — Practical Training Seminar, which is now being targeted for Fall 2022. 
The second area of discussion involves extensive planning from a Surface Quality Subcommittee that is drawing on expertise from across the plate industry to capture a modern definition of plate surfaces commonly produced in today’s mills, and to establish a common descriptive terminology for the industry’s use. This initiative also intends on publishing technical papers at AISTech along with an aim to refresh earlier AIST publications such as Plates, Rolled Floor Plates, Carbon, High-Strength Low-Allow, and Alloy Steel, which was last published in December 1997. Eventually each path of activity will become a foundation for suggesting revisions to ASTM A6/A6M – 19 “Standard Specification for General Requirements for Rolled Structural Steel Bars, Plates, Shapes and Sheet Piling, Section 9.”
Presentations: 

• “Application of MULPIC at a Steckel Mill,” Dengqi Bai, SSAB Americas.

• “Pipe Mill Primer and Industry Challenges,” by Dimitrius Dimopolus, Berg Pipe.

The following day the PRTC toured the Berg Pipe seam-welded pipe facility, which included coating technology. The committee thanks tour guides Nick Virbitsky and Andy Hicks, Berg Pipe, for their organization of the tour.

The PRTC met 29 June 2021, Nashville, TN USA.
The following officers were elected:

• Chair: Andrew Smith, SSAB Alabama

• Vice Chair: Jacob Lewis, Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa Inc.

• Papers Chair: Doug Stalheim, DGS Metallurgical Solutions

• Young Professional Chair: Tyler DeLong, Allor Manufacturing Inc./Plesh Industries Inc.

• Education Co-Chairs: Qiulin Yu, Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa Inc., and Andrew Smith, SSAB Alabama

The PRTC held a virtual meeting 12February 2021.
PRTC chair Brad Sigurdson called the meeting to order, which took place following the successful completion of the virtual Hot Sheet and Plate Rolling Fundamentals conference co-presented by this committee.
Papers chair Jacob Lewis discussed the committee’s five planned sessions for AISTech 2021, and the roles of session chairs were emphasized. Lewis also provided an update on the ongoing work with the Surface Quality and Product Manual Subcommittee, which had been reduced due to the global pandemic but will restart and focus on the revisions for AIST publications.
Sigurdson announced selection of the committee’s bi-annual Norman D. Hodgson Outstanding Achievement Award. The winner will be officially recognized at AISTech 2021 in Nashville, Tenn., USA.
Training conference chair Corey Ivey gave a review of the Hot Sheet and Plate Rolling Fundamentals — Practical Training Seminar.
PRTC Young Professional chair Tyler DeLong reported on recent activities of the AIST Young Professional Subcommittee and upcoming virtual and in-person events.
Presentation:

• • “How to Use Mean Flow Stress During Hot Rolling to Monitor Structural Steel and API Product Quality,” by Doug Stalheim, DGS Metallurgical Solutions Inc.

The PRTC held a virtual meeting 13 August 2020.
Reports from five committee leaders were given during this meeting, including an update on coordinating activities with the Digitalization Applications Technology Committee by Eric Thokar. Thokar also spearheaded the changes to the data in the annual Plate/Steckel Mill Roundup which is published on pages 148–153 of this issue of Iron & Steel Technology.
Tyler DeLong provided an update on Young Professionals activities. Efforts are now being coordinated across all Technology Committees and Member Chapters to focus on growing this population of AIST members.
PRTC papers chair Jacob Lewis will continue to lead the Surface Quality Subcommittee, a group that works to use AIST publications as a foundation for encouraging revisions to ASTM A6/A6M – 19: Standard Specification for General Requirements for Rolled Structural Steel Bars, Plates, Shapes and Sheet Piling, Section 9.
The PRTC discussed the nomination process for the Norman D. Hodgson Outstanding Achievement Award. A selection committee will be working to name a recipient in time for AISTech 2021.
Corey Ivey outlined the work of the conference planning committee to bring the next Hot Rolling Fundamentals Training Conference to the industry. This will combine segments from both the Plate Rolling and Hot Sheet Rolling Committees. This seminar is scheduled to begin on 7 February 2021 and is targeted to be held in the Starkville, Miss., or Tuscaloosa, Ala., USA, area. Currently all past presenters from the October 2019 conference are being contacted to determine their ability to present in 2021.

The PRTC had a virtual meeting 6 May 2020.
The PRTC began their meeting by reviewing their mission statement and the AISTech 2021 Call for Papers.
The following committee officers were elected for the 2020–2021 term:

• Chair: Brad Sigurdson, EVRAZ Portland.

• Vice chair: Andrew Smith, SSAB Alabama.

• Papers chair: Jacob Lewis, Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa Inc.

• Education chair: Corey Ivey, Nucor Steel–Hertford County.

• Young Professional liaison: Tyler DeLong, Allor Manufacturing Inc./Plesh Industries Inc.

• Roundup chair and digitalization liaison: Eric Thokar, CISDI USA.

Next the committee heard a progress report from Jacob Lewis on behalf of the North American Plate Surface Quality Subcommittee. The organizers of the Hot Sheet and Plate Rolling Fundamentals training seminar updated the group on the status of the 2021 seminar. The next edition of this training course will take place 7–11 February 2021.
The meeting ended with a review of the AIST North American Plate/Steckel Mill Roundup, which will be published in the November issue of Iron & Steel Technology.

The PRTC and MPPATC met 3–4 March 2020, Greensboro, N.C., USA.
The committees began a joint meeting by finalizing their respective technical sessions for AISTech 2020.
Corey Ivey provided a summary of the Hot Sheet and Plate Rolling Fundamentals Technology Training conference that took place in October 2019. This conference utilized support and production by two technical committees (Hot Sheet Rolling and Plate Rolling) and was held this time in Michigan City, Ind., USA, so that attendees were able to enjoy bus tours of the ArcelorMittal Burns Harbor mill.
Presentations:

• “Insight to the Ferrous Physical Metallurgy Department at University of Pittsburgh,” by Isaac Garcia, University of Pittsburgh.

• “Transmission Electron Microscope Advances,” by Roger Maddalena, Thermo Fisher Scientific.

• “Equipment and Procedures for Laser Cutting Steel Plate,” by Brian Gibson, Amada America Inc.

The next day the group toured two facilities: Amada America Inc. and John Deere/Hitachi Construction Machinery Corp. Amada demonstrated live laser-
cutting procedures on full-scale equipment using multiple grades and thicknesses of steel samples. Questions from committee members revealed interest in defining features of “laser-cutting-grade plate,” even though non-standardized terminology is commonly used in the industry.
At the John Deere/Hitachi tour, the group found a vibrant and well-integrated joint venture between global producers of large excavator construction equipment. Finished excavators range in weight from 13 to more than 470 metric tons. Raw steel plate material enters the factory in both cut-to-length coil and discrete forms. Initial processing of the incoming material cuts shapes down to size using plasma-cutting beds, equipped with extensive environmental exhaust equipment installed for worker safety. Later in the production process, 70% of the in-process plate parts are joined with robotic welding.
At the end of the tour, the group was invited to walk the final assembly line, where they saw finished models, painted in partner-specific branding, rolling off the same assembly line.

1. PRTC chairman Eric Thokar (left) presented a plaque of appreciation to Steven Keating (right), Amada America Inc., inside the machinery demonstration room at Amada. 2. MPPATC chair Justin Raines (left) presented a plaque of appreciation to Bobby Williams (right), John Deere/Hitachi Construction Machinery Corp., for hosting the PRTC and MPPATC’s tour on 4 March 2020.

The PRTC met 22 October 2019, Burns Harbor, Ind., USA
The PRTC meeting commenced with a tour of ArcelorMittal Burns Harbor’s plate facility. The formal meeting began with a review of PRTC’s AISTech 2020 session by Andrew Smith, which is scheduled for Monday, 4 May. The committee discussed the session structure and title; volunteers were taken for session chairs. The PRTC also reviewed the AISTech 2021 Call for Papers and made additions to the list of potential paper topics.
The committee reviewed the 2019 Plate/Steckel Mill Roundup, which was published in the November 2019 issue of Iron & Steel Technology. A request was made for a volunteer to manage changes to the 2020 Roundup.
PRTC education chair Corey Ivey could not attend, but provided an update on the 2019 Hot Rolling and Plate Rolling Fundamentals Technology Training course, which was held concurrently with the PRTC meeting. Eric Thokar reported from the AIST Digital Transformation Steering Committee.
The PRTC discussed progress made by the subcommittee on a surface finish terminology reference manual. A review of the past AISI Steel Products Manual (Section 2)on plate characteristics began during the meeting. Due to time restrictions, it was decided to continue the review by video conference.
The committee wrapped up its meeting by determining dates and locations for their spring and fall 2020 meetings.
“Plate Surface Inspection Technologies” was presented by Foerster Instruments.

PRTC chair Eric Thokar (left) presents a thank-you plaque to Angela Hiller (right), director, Deerfield Training Center, ArcelorMittal Burns Harbor, and Andrew Smith (center), quality manager, plate, ArcelorMittal Burns Harbor.

The PRTC met 6 May 2019, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
The following officers were elected:

Chair: Eric Thokar, CISDI USA

Vice chair: Brad Sigurdson, EVRAZ Portland

Papers chair: Andrew Smith, ArcelorMittal Burns Harbor

Technology Training Conference chair: Corey Ivey, Nucor Steel–Hertford County

The PRTC visited Nucor Steel–Hertford County on 13 March 2019.

The PRTC met  12–13 March 2019, Suffolk, Va., USA. The meeting began with a call for nominees for the 2020 Norman D. Hodgson Award. The committee aims to present the award on a biannual basis at AISTech. 
The committee reviewed its sessions for AISTech 2019 and the roles of session chair and papers chair were re-emphasized. Possible session topics for AISTech 2020 were discussed, including product quality improvements, laser bed quality plate, and finishing areas (e.g., cooling bed, cold levelers, etc.).
Nominations for 2019–2020 committee officers were submitted. 
The committee reviewed the status of the 2019 AIST Plate and Steckel Mill Roundup and sought volunteers to update the data.
Corey Ivey discussed the upcoming Hot Sheet and Plate Rolling Fundamentals training seminar, which will be held 20–24 October 2019 in Michigan City, Ind., USA. The PRTC will hold its fall meeting at the same time and location. 
Eric Thokar noted that the PRTC has the resources to publish an AIST Technical Report (TR) or recommended best practices. Thokar volunteered to solicit members for a TR standards subcommittee to explore this.
Quinlin Yu, Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa Inc., then presented a discussion on plate leveling.
The meeting concluded on Wednesday, 13 March, with a tour of Nucor Steel–Hertford County.

Members of the PRTC toured Nucor Steel–Hertford County on 13 March 2019.

The PRTC met 12 March 2019, Suffolk, Va., USA. 
The PRTC reviewed its sessions AISTech 2019 and the roles of session chair and papers chair were re-emphasized. Nominations for officers for the 2019–2020 were discussed, with everyone agreeing to serve another year.
The committee then reviewed the AIST North American Plate/Steckel Mill Roundup and discussed potential updates to the data.
Corey Ivey discussed the upcoming Hot Sheet and Plate Rolling Fundamentals — A Practical Training Seminar. The seminars will be held 20–24 October 2019 at the Blue Chip Casino, Hotel & Spa in Michigan City, Ind., USA. The conference includes a tour of ArcelorMittal Burns Harbor. The PRTC’s Fall 2019 meeting will take place at that same location.
The committee then discussed the possibility of publishing an AIST Technical Report (TR) standard or recommended practice. Potential standard topics included surface quality and dimensional quality. Eric Thokar will solicit members for a TR standards subcommittee.
The PRTC meeting concluded on 13 March 2019 with a tour of Nucor Steel–Hertford County.

The PRTC met 11–12 September 2018, Longview, Texas, USA. The PRTC reviewed the 2018 Steel Industry Fatalities, followed by a roundtable discussion
Andrew Smith, PRTC papers chair, reviewed the four abstracts that had been submitted for AISTech 2019. Two PRTC sessions will be scheduled. Session chairs were identified, and instructions for both session chairs and papers chairs were reviewed.
Smith will reach out to presenters from the 2nd International Symposium on the Recent Developments in Plate Steels to get involved in AISTech 2019.
Corey Ivey, Andrew Smith and Jacob Lewis will represent the PRTC at the AIST Leadership Conference in November in New Orleans, La., USA.
The 2019 Norman D. Hodgson Outstanding Achievement Award will be presented during the PRTC meeting at AISTech 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pa., USA.
The 2018 Plate/Steckel Mill Roundup was reviewed. The roundup appears on pages 150–155 of this issue.
Corey Ivey, education chair, discussed Hot Sheet and Plate Rolling Fundamentals — A Practical Training Seminar, which will be held 21–24 October 2019 in East Chicago, Ind., USA. ArcelorMittal Burns Harbor will serve as host plant. The program outline is to be finalized by 1 December 2018.
The following presenters spoke:

• Jim Lewis gave an overview of Nucor Steel Longview.

• Jim Kitson of Allor Manufacturing presented “Managing Drivelines When Leveling High-Yield Materials.”

• Jonathan Steckelburg of Ametek Surface Vision presented “SmartView/SmartAdvisor.”

The PRTC toured Nucor Steel Longview on Wednesday, 12 September.

Bryson Trumble (right), general manager, Nucor Longview, was presented with a plaque of appreciation by Eric Thokar (left), CISDI USA, PRTC chair.

Eric Thokar (left) and Brad Sigurdson (right) presented Blane Vines (center) with the PRTC service plaque at AISTech 2018.

The PRTC met 7 May 2018, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
The following officers were elected:

• Chair: Eric Thokar, CISDI USA

• Vice chair: Brad Sigurdson, EVRAZ Portland

• Papers chair: Andrew Smith, ArcelorMittal Burns Harbor

• Education chair: Corey Ivey, Nucor Steel–Hertford County

The PRTC met 12–13 September 2017, Muscatine, Iowa, USA. The PRTC met at the SSAB Americas R&D and SSAB Iowa facilities. The meeting’s focus was lining up the PRTC technical sessions for AISTech 2018 by papers chair Brad Sigurdson. Along with selection of technical papers, the role of session chair was discussed and volunteers were solicited.
An update was given on the two Technology Training events that the PRTC  is organizing. Corey Ivey updated the group on the Hot Rolling Fundamentals course that will be held 25 February–1 March 2018 in Mobile, Ala., USA, and Rick Bodnar briefed the group on the 2nd International Symposium on the Recent Developments in Plate Steels to take place 3–6 June 2018 in Orlando, Fla., USA.
The meeting included presentations on descale nozzle technology by Lechler USA, and on 3D plate inspection systems by ISRA Surface Vision Inc.
The meeting concluded with a tour of the SSAB Americas R&D facility as well as the SSAB Iowa plate mill.

Blane Vines (left) presented a plaque of appreciation to Mike Cooke (right), director of technical services, SSAB Iowa, for hosting the PRTC’s tour of the facility.

	Eric Thokar (left) presented Blane Vines (right) with the PRTC service plaque.

The PRTC met 8 May 2017, Nashville, Tenn., USA.

The following officers were elected:

• Chair: Blane Vines, Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa Inc.

• Vice chair: Eric Thokar, Primetals Technologies USA LLC

• Papers chair: Brad Sigurdson, EVRAZ Portland

The PTTC and PRTC met jointly 28–29 March 2017, Birmingham, Ala., USA. The committees reviewed the 2016 Steel Industry Fatalities Report, followed by a safety roundtable discussion. Afterwards the groups split to work on individual committee business.
The Plate Rolling Committee reviewed its AISTech 2017 paper sessions and discussed Hot Flat Rolling Fundamentals — A Practical Training Seminar, which will take place in spring 2018.
The AIST Process Benchmarker^® was discussed. The Plate Rolling Module has remained stagnant and the PRTC agreed to revisit the program. Suggested was a free trial period from which to get feedback from users.
The 2nd International Symposium on the Recent Developments in Plate Steels will be held 3–6 June 2018 in Orlando, Fla., USA. The group was reminded to submit their abstracts by 15 October 2017.
Presentation topics for the fall PRTC meeting were discussed. Charlie Romberger volunteered to present on descale systems. Other topics suggested were flatness strategies, corrosion prevention, preventive maintenance practices for levelers and accelerated cooling.
The PTTC reviewed its session for AISTech 2017. The nominations for the 2017–2018 officers were made (see page 82 of this issue for the full list of PTTC officers).
Pipe and Tube — A Practical Training Seminar, to be held in 2018, was discussed. A planning subcommittee was created. It was also decided that the papers chair role should have high involvement in the conference planning.
At the time of the meeting, the PTTC had 96 members. Steve Marzina agreed to bring an analysis of members and participation to the committee’s fall meeting. A LinkedIn account has been created for the PTTC as a place for technical discussion and committee-related talk. It is open to PTTC members only and is managed by the social media and membership chairs. Attendees were reminded to review the Pipe and Tube Roundup and send any suggestions and edits to Frank Baumgardner by the next meeting.
There was an extensive discussion on the goals of the committee and its members. Keith Tuma requested the creation of a subcommittee with representatives from the various factions (producers, manufacturers, OEMs, consumable suppliers, buyers and end users, etc.) Volunteers for the subcommittee were Tuma, Baumgardner, Jack Srail and Susan Conley. This group will first develop a list of technologies that encompasses what the PTTC represents and what is important to each segment.
The PRTC and PTTC rejoined for the rest of the afternoon for a networking lunch and technical presentations, which included:

• “Accelerated Cooling System — Direct Quench Project,” by Jacob Lewis, Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa Inc.

• “Advanced Ceramics for Pipe and Tube Manufacturing,” by Jimmy Estrada, Kyocera.

• “Coupling Makeup Machines,” by Marco Zanardi, Lazzari Group.

• “Non-Destructive Testing Technologies — High-Temperature Weld Inspection for ERW Mills,” by David Mann, Innerspec.

Blane Vines gave a brief preview and instructions for the plant tours and the meeting was adjourned.
The two committees had a full day of plant tours starting with Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa Inc., who also provided lunch. The group then headed over to Southland Tube where they were welcomed by Barney Hatten, director of quality, who gave a presentation on the company and plant before the tour commenced.

Blane Vines (left), PRTC chair, presented a plaque of appreciation to Lane Swan (right), manager of manufacturing, Southland Tube, for hosting a tour on 29 March 2017.

Keith Tuma (right), PTTC chair, presented Blane Vines (left), Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa Inc., with a plaque of appreciation for hosting a tour of the facility during the PTTC and PRTC joint meeting.

	EUTC chair Rishabh Bahel (left) and PRTC chair Blane Vines (right) presented Tony Knopp (center), vice president of Vestas Towers America, with a plaque for hosting the EUTC’s and PRTC’s tour.

The PRTC and EUTC met 13–14 September 2016, Colorado Springs, Colo., USA. The group held a roundtable discussion on general safety statistics and current projects.
The committees split into separate rooms to work on committee-specific items. Both committees reviewed their AISTech 2017 paper sessions, selected session chairs, finalized their AISTech 2018 Call for Papers verbiage and discussed items to be brought up at the AIST Leadership Conference.
The EUTC determined there would be opportunity for multiple joint sessions at AISTech 2017. The committee also discussed the Energy Achievement Award submissions and brainstormed ways to increase awareness and visibility of the award to AIST members, as it is not process-specific. The creation of a members chair position was discussed, as well as other strategies to increase EUTC participation and attendance. 
The PRTC discussed finalizing the Plate Mill Roundup for publication, the benefits of attending the Hot Flat Rolling Fundamentals Technology Training Conference and the AIST Process Benchmarker®. The PRTC also had a thorough discussion about future meeting locations and the topics for technical presentations/discussions to be held at these meetings. Volunteers for presentations on these topics were chosen.
The committees, along with guest speakers Kip Findley and Taylor Jacobs from Colorado School of Mines, came together for a networking lunch. This was followed by an afternoon of technical presentations, which included:

• “Compressed Air — Steel Mill Energy Savings Projects,” by Lou York, Case Controls.

• “An Overview of the Advanced Steel Processing and Products Research Center at Colorado School of Mines,” by Kip Findley.

• “Elevated Temperature Mechanical Properties of Line Pipe Steels,” by Taylor Jacobs.

• “ArcelorMittal’s Energy Efficiency Initiatives,” by Larry Fabina, ArcelorMittal Burns Harbor.

• An overview of Vestas and tour requirements by Corey Ivey, Nucor Steel–Hertford County.

The meeting concluded the following day at Vestas Towers America in Pueblo, Colo., USA. Stacie Martellaro, manager factory logistics, and Mark Rusovick, quality assurance specialist, led the group on an in-depth tour of the tower manufacturing plant. This was followed by a presentation and question-and-answer session with Tony Knopp, vice president of Vestas Towers America, and lunch at the facility. 

The EUTC and PRTC toured Vestas Towers Americas during their 13–14 September 2016 meeting.

Blane Vines (left) presented the PRTC service plaque to Corey Ivey (right).

The PRTC met 16 May 2016, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

The PRTC met 19–20 January 2016, Fort Worth, Texas, USA. A lengthy safety discussion was held, which included perspectives from all attendees. 
The Plate Rolling session for AISTech 2016 was changed from a five-paper session on Monday morning to a six-paper session on Monday afternoon to include a paper by Qiulin Yu of Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa Inc.
Jared Kaufman of Tenova Core gave a presentation on combustion and the NFPA 86 standard.
Cory Raimondi hosted a tour of the TrinityRail facility, which uses finished plate to make railroad tank cars.

1. Corey Ivey presented a plaque of appreciation to Joshua Oakley for hosting a tour of TrinityRail (left to right): Cory Raimondi, Jeremy Leitze, Ivey, Clay Cole and Oakley. 2. The PRTC met on 19 January 2016 in Fort Worth, Texas, USA (front row, left to right: Jeremy Leize, Mike Kadar and Par Kierkegaard. Back row, left to right: Jared Kaufman, Tommie Nilsson, Corey Ivey and Blane Vines).