Posted on 07 Feb 2023
SEAISI recently organised yet another successful event: - The 2022 SEAISI Steel Mega Event & Expo at Sunway Pyramid Convention Centre from 14 – 18 November 2022.
This was SEAISI’s first physical event since 2019. It attracted more than 400 delegates around the world. The conference highlighted the latest scenario in the steel market and developments in the global and regional markets.
Welcome Reception @ The Sunway Lagoon Surf Beach
It was befitting that a “Welcome Networking Cocktail’’ was held in the evening at the Sunway Lagoon Surf Beach. The man-made beach is located in Sunway City.
This exciting venue offered a casual networking experience as delegates were dressed in
comfortable casual outfits.
Dinner guests were served with tantalizing cocktail food, appetizers, snacks and drinks.
Opening Ceremony
The Mega event kicked off with a brief welcome speech by Dato’ Lim Hong Thye, President of Malaysian Iron and Steel Industry Federation (MISIF). The Mega Event was officially declared opened by Tan Sri Dato’ Soh Thian Lai, President of Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers. The ceremony ended with the awards presentation to recipients who had contributed to SEAISI.
Keynote Session & CEO Panel Discussion
The session featured experts and steel industry players covering the ASEAN steel industry. The speakers were Dr Edwin Basson, Director-General, World Steel Association and Dr Karel Eloot, Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company. Moderated by Mr Win Viriyaprapaikit, President, Group CEO of Sahaviriya Steel Industries, the CEO Panel discussion included the two expert speakers as well as Dato’ Lim Hong Thye, Group Managing Director of Ann Joo Berhad and Mr. Purwono Widodo, Business Development Director of PT Krakatau Steel.
Market Sessions
These sessions highlighted the Asian steel market and the trade landscape. The session on
finance perspective covered the after effects of war, politics and Covid on raw material costs. The session also highlighted on the Russian-Ukraine war and how it affected the steel trade flows in MENA and Asia.
Technical Session
This session comprised of three parallel discussion in the areas of:-
Construction
The session on construction sector described how product development affects the process of steel making. The move towards green steel technology will change the iron making process in the future by utilizing low carbon blast furnaces.
Sustainability
Climate change will affect the shift in temperatures and weather patterns. Steel industry continues to upgrade its technology aiming for net zero carbon emission and improving its energy efficiency.
Technology
The steel industry is moving towards digitalisation in its steel making process in order to produce quality steel. There is a need to move towards industry 4.0 for smart management in the steel plant. Adoption of the latest technology will create new business opportunities.
Overall, more than 100 expert speakers worldwide were present at the conference, opening a window to the state of the art of steel making.
Exhibition Booths
Delegates had the opportunity to visit 26 exhibition booths set up by international exhibitors. These booths served as a great platform to introduce the latest products. Collectively, the booths were an “eye opener”.
The majority of booth exhibitors were from Europe (44%), Malaysia (22.2%), USA (16.7%), India (11.1%) and Canada (5.6%).
2 plant tours were organised on 18 December 2022, viz: -
CSC Steel formed in 1991, is one of the largest manufacturers of flat steel in Malaysia. The tour began with a company video introduction followed by the plant visit. The final pit stop for the day was a visit to Melaka City tour.
ii) Alliance Steel (M) Sdn Bhd, Kuantan, Pahang
Alliance Steel was set up in 2014 in Kuantan. One of the largest blast furnace operations in the region, it has a planned capacity of 3.5 million tonnes and produces high-speed wire rods, bar rods and H-beams. The tour began with corporate presentation followed by the plant visit.
The delegates were pleased with the plant tour conducted in Melaka and Pahang.
Feedback
The feedback from participants have been very encouraging. The presentation topics were interesting with up-to-date information. The exhibition booths served as a great networking venue as the exhibitors managed to meet with potential customers and described the event as eventful. It would be great to see more steel mills exhibitors in the event.
Conclusion
SEAISI Steel Mega Event has been a rebounding success with its well-balanced conference, exhibition and other activities, providing a great platform for the steel fraternity to network.
SEAISI would like to thank all special guests, speakers, sponsors, advertisers, exhibitors and delegates for joining us at this event.
And special thanks to our Directors, National Committees, Committee Members and partners such as the Japan Iron and Steel Federation (JISF) for all their unwavering support.
We hope to see everyone again in the forthcoming conference in 2023.
See you in Manila, Philippines!
Source:SEAISI
