The World Steel Association (worldsteel) has launched its ‘Steel in a Sustainable World’ online series and CEO Insights to highlight the role of the global steel industry in creating a sustainable future for the planet.

CEOs from seven leading steel companies – Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation, JSW Steel, BlueScope, ArcelorMittal Americas, Nucor Corporation, Techint Group and SSAB – shared their insights in a series of short video clips. Their views on the future of steel and its role in global sustainable development, focusing on the down in the industry’s sustainable development policy, were highlighted.

The first clip was made available on October 26 and highlighted the steel industry’s environmental standards by demonstrating the ways in which technology drives the development of a sustainable society.

In his clip, Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation president Kosei Shindo points out the global steel industry’s contribution through eco-efficient steel product developments, steel-manufacturing process innovation and advanced technology sharing to promote energy saving and lower carbon dioxide emissions.

In his clip, JSW Steel chairperson and MD Sajjan Jindal underlines the importance of developing nations participating in effective community engagement when developing large industrial facilities such as steel plants.

BlueScope MD and CEO Paul O’Malley high- lights the importance of taking a holistic approach by regarding the steel industry as a whole, including employees, and as a business to deal with future challenges.

ArcelorMittal Americas CEO Louis Schorsch’s insight declares that ethics are “critically important” and a “non-negotiable objective” to ensure the steel industry contributes to a sustainable global economy. “The more the steel industry contributes to the new United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the more ethical we will be in the eyes of our stakeholders.”

Techint chairperson and CEO Paolo Rocca says transparency is an essential value for the sustainability of the steel industry. “We have to be transparent with our people, our clients and the communities that surround our industrial projects. “There is nowhere to hide and that is a good thing. Openness will make the steel industry stronger and more sustainable.”

Nucor Corporation chairperson, CEO and president John Ferriola points out in his clip that customers are increasingly looking for lighter and more formable steel products that are still cost effective to ensure sustainability targets are achievable. “I believe that steel – more than any other material – will do the most to help manufacturers meet their sustainability targets,” he asserts.

SSAB president and CEO Martin Lindqvist says: “Collaboration is essential to drive sustain-able development. “An open dialogue will lead to greater awareness and bridge knowledge gaps.”

The CEO Insights and films will be published weekly as part of worldsteel’s commitment to supporting sustainability across the global industry.

“These CEO Insights are a tremendous way of demonstrating our members’ commitment to the future of steel and its role in protecting the future of our planet.”

He adds that the industry is committed to having steel recognised as a key component in the development of a sustainable world, further asserting that steel’s properties demonstrate this commitment, as it is “100% recyclable and . . . the most recycled material in the world”.