- IREPAS Chairman: Ioannis Manessis, Principal, Hellenic Halyvourgia S.A

Long products market outlook 

• Overview of Global Construction Sector
• Steel and Long Products Consumption
• Rebar Markets
• International Price Situation

- Alex Gordienko, Export Director, Celsa Group

Macroeconomic Overview

• OECD Interim Economic Outlook: Underlying assumptions, risks to the baseline, and the economic implications of the Middle East conflict
• Recent global developments in commodities, inflation, and trade (including tariffs)
• The impact of AI on labour markets and economic performance, particularly in the United States
• China’s economic slowdown, driven by weak consumption, sectoral overcapacity, and the real estate downturn
• Monetary and fiscal policy outlook, including expected policy rate paths, comparisons of neutral rates, and limited fiscal space
• Fiscal and macroeconomic implications of increasing defense spending

- Patrice Ollivaud, Economist, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

Panel: Hedging ferrous metals to unlock commodity trade finance solutions

• The Development of Futures Markets for Steel and Steel Scrap
• New Structured Trade Finance Solutions Tailored to the Steel Industry
• Trade Finance Practices Such as Hedging, Tripartite Agreements (TPAs) for Margin Funding and Unsold Inventory Financing

Moderator: Alberto Xodo, Product Specialist (Steel & Nickel), LME
- John Short, CEO, Boomer Commodities
- Phillip Price, Founder, Pool

Moderator: Anastasiia Kononenko, Head of Asia Market Intelligence Team, SteelOrbis

Hydrogen-based DRI: Front Runner or Also Ran?

• Global DRI/HBI projects – pace of developments, key drivers over the next five years, and major MENA projects.
• DRI-based steel mills vs. scrap-based EAFs/BOFs – advantages and challenges.
• Outlook for merchant HBI trade amid expanding capacities.
• Cost-competitive power solutions for new DRI projects.
• Role of green hydrogen and CCUS.
• Pellet and iron ore supply vs. future DRI/HBI demand.

- Dr. John Atherton, Secretary General, International Iron Metallics Association

CBAM Unlocked: Risk, Opportunity, and the Road Ahead

• Expected Developments in CBAM
• Calculation Methods for Long Products Across Different Countries
• Distribution of Responsibilities Under CBAM

- Jack Laing, Carbon Specialist, CarbonChain

Chinese Steel Outlook for 2026

• Changes in Chinese Steel Consumption Dynamics
• Development of the Manufacturing and Construction Sectors in 2025   
• Outlook for Major Domestic Steel-consuming Industries
• Steel Production Performance and Expectations in China
• Challenges and Opportunities in China’s Steel Exports
• Impact of CBAM on Chinese Steel Producers
• Impact of Relatively High Raw Material Prices
• A key Future Variable: The US–Iran Conflict

- Yuan Wenjiong, President, Dao Fortune

Steel at a Crossroads: India’s IF Advantage in a Low-Carbon Global Market

- Sumit Bhatia, Vice President – New Business Development & Strategy, ARS Steels

14:30 - 16:30      IREPAS Producers Committee (by invitation only)

- Chairman:  Alex Gordienko, Export Director, Celsa Group

14:30 - 16:30      IREPAS Raw Material Suppliers Committee (by invitation only)

- Chairman:  Jens Björkman, Head of Trade, Stena Metal International

14:30 - 16:30      IREPAS Traders Committee (open to all attendees)

- Chairman:  Wilhelm Alff, Director, Duferco Deutschland GmbH  

- F. D. Baysal, President & CEO, SEBA Group of Companies 

- Hüseyin Ocakçı, Deputy General Manager, Hangzhou CIEC International

Moderator: Murat Eryılmaz, CEO, SteelOrbis

- IREPAS Producers Committee

Chairman:  Alex Gordienko, Export Director, Celsa Group

- IREPAS Raw Material Suppliers Committee

Chairman:  Jens Björkman, Head of Trade, Stena Metal International

- IREPAS Traders Committee

Chairman:  Wilhelm Alff, Director, Duferco Deutschland GmbH