TPT January 2023

I NDUS T RY

International exhibition dedicated to the steel industry returns to Milan in 2023

as in previous months because of the slowdown in economic growth; on the other hand, high production costs, driven by rising gas and electricity prices. According to the cost model by Ufficio Studi siderweb updated last September, energy costs (coal, gas and electricity) account for approximately 45 per cent of the production cost of a tonne of steel (mean values for blast furnaces and electric furnaces), compared to 30 per cent at the beginning of the year. “The surge in gas and electricity prices, and the low prices of finished products, are heavily eroding steel companies’ profits,” explained Gianfranco Tosini Ufficio Studi siderweb. “It should be noted that high gas prices have a greater impact on electric furnaces, because higher gas prices lead to higher electricity prices. As a result, from January to August this year, the incidence of energy on steel production costs of electric steel companies jumped from 18 per cent to 41 per cent.”

MORE than 80 per cent of the Made in Steel 2023 exhibition space has been reserved in the five months since the opening of sales. This is the best result ever for Made in Steel, the international event dedicated to the steel industry to be held in Milan from 9 to 11 May 2023. The tenth edition of the international event has about 23 per cent international exhibitors so far. Space reservations are proceeding at a fast pace, so work is underway to open additional exhibition areas. Made in Steel therefore confirms its role as a reference point for the international steel industry, a place where market trends are intercepted and tools are provided to understand the world steel scenario of today and tomorrow. It is precisely to the future of the steel industry that the title and visual of the tenth edition of the event are dedicated. The European steel industry is in a phase of uncertainty and imbalance: slowing down production and weakening demand juxtaposed by a rebound in the prices of steel products that is typical of the opposite market scenario.

Steel production in Italy has decreased this year, down 10 per cent in the January to August period according to Federacciai. European output has also fallen in the same period: -6.9 per cent, according to the latest report of the World Steel Association. A trend that in Italy and Europe seems likely not only to continue, but to worsen in the coming months. Many mills have announced shutdowns, production slowdowns or have applied for social buffers. Given the present energy crisis, European and Italian steel producers are caught between two fires: on the one hand, low product prices, also due to a demand that is no longer as vigorous Made in Steel acts as a reference point for the international steel industry

Made in Steel 2023 www.madeinsteel.it

Sikora appoints experienced interim director for sales, marketing and service

professionally,” said Professor Thomas Sikora, chairman of the supervisory board of Sikora AG. Mr Lieder has many years of experience in sales and has a comprehensive technical understanding of Sikora technologies and market requirements. “We are pleased that with Holger Lieder we could win a very experienced manager within the company for the interim responsibility,” said Professor Sikora. “Mr Lieder knows the customers and their needs very well and we are convinced that the successful progress and growth of all business areas will continue under his direction,” he added.

IN addition to his current function as director of sales at Sikora AG, Holger Lieder has taken over the interim responsibility for the areas of marketing and service. In his function he reports directly to the CEO Dr Christian Frank. Dr Jörg Wissdorf, who was previously responsible for the areas of sales, marketing and service as a member of the executive board, is taking on new professional challenges. “We would like to thank Dr Wissdorf for his great commitment over the past two and a half years. He has initiated important change processes and successfully implemented many projects. We wish him all the best personally and

Sikora will follow up its growth strategy and foster new developments of innovative technologies. Thereby, the customer and his needs are the central focus of all activities for the company. Holger Lieder takes over, in addition to sales, the position of the interim director of the service and marketing departments at Sikora

Sikora AG www.sikora.net

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JANUARY 2023