Sérgio Antonini 
Steel manufacturing involves some of the most hazardous working conditions in modern industry: extreme heat, molten metal, high-speed machinery, toxic fumes, and heavy loads. At the same time, global competition and rising energy costs demand greater efficiency and lower operational risk. Robotics offers a powerful solution to these challenges. Robots in steel plants aren’t just … Read more
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept—it’s now a core driver of operational excellence in steel production. From predictive maintenance and process optimization to energy efficiency and quality control, AI enables steel manufacturers to make faster, smarter, and more precise decisions. Unlike traditional control systems, AI doesn’t just follow programmed rules—it learns from … Read more
Steel manufacturing is a process defined by extremes—extreme temperatures, pressures, loads, and speed. To maintain high product quality and operational safety while minimizing waste and energy use, real-time visibility into every stage of production is essential. This is where smart sensors come into play. Smart sensors differ from traditional ones by offering not just raw … Read more
A digital twin is a virtual replica of a physical object, system, or process that receives real-time updates from its physical counterpart. In the steel industry, this means creating a digital model of assets like blast furnaces, rolling mills, cooling systems, or even entire production lines. These models are enriched with live data from sensors, … Read more
Steel plants rely on a network of massive, interdependent machines operating under extreme heat, pressure, and load. When a single piece of critical equipment—like a furnace blower, casting mold, or rolling mill—fails unexpectedly, it can halt production lines, damage downstream processes, and lead to severe revenue losses. In a global steel market that’s more competitive … Read more
In today’s competitive and environmentally conscious market, steel manufacturers are under constant pressure to increase productivity, improve quality, enhance safety, and reduce costs. One of the most transformative tools enabling this evolution is automation. While traditionally associated with automotive and electronics sectors, automation has now become central to the steel industry’s modernization efforts. Automation in … Read more
Steel trade is one of the most visible indicators of global industrial activity. Tracking who is importing or exporting steel—and in what volume—offers valuable insights into supply chains, production cycles, pricing, and competitive positioning. For businesses in the steel ecosystem, analyzing trade data is not just academic; it directly informs procurement decisions, expansion plans, risk … Read more
In a world increasingly focused on sustainability and resource efficiency, the concept of a circular economy is gaining momentum. Unlike the traditional linear model of “take, make, dispose,” a circular economy aims to reduce waste and keep materials in use for as long as possible. Steel scrap is a perfect fit for this model—100% recyclable, … Read more
Steel is one of the most globally traded commodities, with millions of tons crossing borders every year. Because international steel deals are often priced in U.S. dollars or other major currencies, fluctuations in exchange rates can significantly alter the competitiveness of producers, the cost to buyers, and ultimately the global price of steel itself. For … Read more
The steel industry is a fundamental component of the global economy. As a key input for construction, manufacturing, infrastructure, and transportation, its performance is closely tied to macroeconomic forces. While prices, demand, and supply often seem to move in unpredictable patterns, they are in fact deeply connected to economic indicators tracked by governments, analysts, and … Read more