By Kayla Lee
POSCO Chairman Choi Jeong-woo, also chairman of the World Steel Association, presided over the regular meeting of the World Steel Association (worldsteel) in Shanghai, China, on Oct. 15, the POSCO said on Oct. 17.
On the first day of the meeting, Choi discussed major issues such as the development of future autonomous vehicle body solutions, trends in international standards for measuring greenhouse gas emissions, and the outlook for global steel demand with participants at the worldsteel executive committee meeting attended by CEOs of major global steel companies.
Chairman Choi emphasized the need to more actively promote the superior environmental performance of steel products compared to aluminum, and led various discussions on the development of a sustainable steel industry, including measures to expand the supply of green steel and the development of joint R&D programs for decarbonization technologies.
More than 150 steelmakers from around the world and representatives of regional steel associations attended the event.
Chairman Choi delivered a keynote speech at the general assembly following the members' meeting, saying that to achieve the lofty goal of carbon neutrality, we need to leap forward on two wings: technology and policy, and called for a joint R&D program for decarbonization technologies to identify common challenges among members and speed up overall technology development progress.
He said, “We should work together to ensure that the World Steel Association's greenhouse gas emission measurement criteria become an international standard.”
Choi added that the operational plan for the joint R&D program will be discussed in detail at the Breakthrough Technology Conference, scheduled to be held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for three days from December 5.
The Breakthrough Technology Conference is an event that expands the theme and scope of the Hydrogen Iron & Steel Making Forum and is expected to share low-carbon innovative technologies such as CCUS (carbon capture, utilization, and storage), including hydrogen reduction steelmaking technology, and discuss sustainable growth.
