Welcome Address by Chairman of IREPAS
- IREPAS Chairman: Ioannis Manessis, Principal, Hellenic Halyvourgia S.A
SESSION ONE - Critical Changes in the Global Long Steel Markets and Macroeconomic Overview
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
SESSION TWO - Global Steel Market Outlook and CBAM Impact
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
IREPAS Committee Meetings
14:30 - 16:30 IREPAS Producers Committee (by invitation only)
14:30 - 16:30 IREPAS Raw Material Suppliers Committee (by invitation only)
14:30 - 16:30 IREPAS Traders Committee (open to all attendees)