The Steelie Awards, held annually by the World Steel Association (worldsteel), honored companies this year that have demonstrated outstanding performance in sustainability, innovation, people-centered initiatives, and communications. The winners of the 2025 awards were announced on Monday, October 13, 2025.
The Steelie Awards evaluate projects, technological innovations, and environmental initiatives that contribute to the steel industry’s development over the year. Nominations are determined by the relevant committees, and submissions are reviewed by independent expert panels based on agreed performance criteria.
This year’s ceremony drew attention with tangible steps in carbon-neutral goals, green transformation technologies, and energy efficiency. Here are the highlights of the 2025 Steelie Awards winners:
Excellence in low-carbon steel production: EMSTEEL
EMSTEEL received one of the most prestigious awards of the year for its project “Pioneering Low-Carbon Steel: Multi-Pronged Net-Zero Strategy.”
Through its pilot steel plant using green hydrogen, developed in partnership with Masdar, the company partially replaced natural gas with green hydrogen in direct reduced iron (DRI) production, directly reducing Scope 1 emissions. Commissioned in 2024, this plant became one of the first examples of hydrogen-based steel production in the UAE.
EMSTEEL’s carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) facility was also highly praised. The project, carried out in collaboration with ADNOC and Al Reyadah, captures over 500.000 tons of CO₂ annually, achieving one of the highest industrial carbon capture rates in the region.
Additionally, the company generates 86% of its electricity from renewable sources, and its 31.5 MWp rooftop solar project significantly reduced Scope 2 emissions. The electric process gas heaters (e-PGH) technology, developed in collaboration with Danieli, further supports EMSTEEL’s transition away from fossil fuels.
As of 2024, EMSTEEL reduced its greenhouse gas intensity by 28% compared to 2019, reaching 0.67 tCO₂e per ton, marking a remarkable success in its green transformation journey.
Innovation of the year: InfraBuild – SENSE600®
Australia-based InfraBuild won the “Innovation of the Year” award for its SENSE600® low-carbon reinforcing steel solution.
SENSE600® is made from 97% recycled scrap steel and is 16.7% lighter than traditional 500N steel, providing the same structural strength with less material, thereby reducing both carbon emissions and production costs.
The product is recognized by Australian Standards and carries Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) and Type I eco-labels. InfraBuild’s project stands out as one of the first reinforcement solutions produced entirely via electric arc furnace (EAF) technology, achieving up to 39% carbon reduction.
Excellence in sustainability: Ternium
Argentinian steelmaker Ternium won the sustainability award for its Vientos Olavarría Wind Farm project in Buenos Aires province.
The wind farm, consisting of 22 turbines each with 4.5 MW capacity and a total installed capacity of 99 MW, supplies 90% of the company’s energy needs from renewable sources. With an annual generation capacity of 480 GWh, the project will reduce CO₂ emissions by 111.000 tons per year.
The $225 million project also contributes significantly to the local economy, creating direct employment for 350 people. Environmental monitoring and biodiversity measures ensure sustainability is maintained.
Excellence in Life Cycle Assessment: HBIS Group
Chinese company HBIS Group received an award for its innovative approach to life cycle assessment with its “LCA+ Wellbeing Index” project.
The company developed steel-based metal cabinets for architectural decoration as a sustainable alternative to traditional wooden furniture. The “Coated Steel Cabinet” project aims to reduce environmental impact while improving quality of life. HBIS’s “LCA+” methodology is one of the first systems in the industry to measure both environmental performance and contributions to human wellbeing.
Excellence in people-centered initiatives: ArcelorMittal
Despite the challenging conditions in Ukraine, ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih won the people-centered award for its “Integration of Army Veterans and Support for Families of Fallen Employees” program.
The company established a veteran integration ecosystem to reemploy thousands of staff mobilized due to the war. 620 veterans returned, with 258 actively employed. In addition, a total of UAH 116 million (2.7 million dollars) was provided to the families of 224 employees who lost their lives.
This project strongly demonstrates ArcelorMittal’s commitment to employee welfare and social responsibility even under challenging circumstances.
Excellence in communications programs: ArcelorMittal – Paris 2024 Olympics
ArcelorMittal won the communications excellence award for its campaign as the official partner of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The company used XCarb® steel, produced from recycled and renewable sources, in the Olympic torches installed on the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe, as well as in the “Spectaculars” (Olympic Rings and Paralympic Agitos) structures.
Led by the corporate communications team, the multi-channel media campaign effectively highlighted ArcelorMittal’s commitment to sustainability and innovation, achieving record levels of media visibility and employee engagement.
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