steelChallenge-19 World Champions announcement
The World Steel Association (worldsteel) today announced the new World Champions of the 19th steelChallenge. Xiao WU (潇吴) from HBIS in China won in the industry category, and Lu HEZHONG (贺忠 卢) from Tangshan Vocational College of Science and Technology, also in China, won in the student category.
The World Championship of the 19th steelChallenge took place on 8 April 2025 in Sydney, Australia. The best players of the Regional Championship from the industry and student categories competed for the global title. The challenge was to produce high strength carbon steel for galvanized automotive steel sheet, at the lowest cost using steeluniversity’s Electric Arc Furnace and Secondary Steelmaking in a combined simulation. To reflect the steel industry’s commitment to reducing the carbon footprint of its operations, there were carbon footprint requirements for the steel grade.
Jorge Muract, Director, steeluniversity for worldsteel, said, “steelChallenge-19 embodies a transformative journey, one that transcends traditional boundaries to create a truly unique and enriching experience. It’s a platform where the convergence of digital innovation, environmental stewardship and social responsibility is reshaping the future of steelmaking. We would like to thank all our participants for joining us on this remarkable learning expedition. Your dedication, creativity and passion have not only elevated the steel industry, but also inspired countless others to join in the pursuit of excellence and sustainability.”
The 2025 World Champion in the student category, Lu HEZHONG (贺忠 卢) said, “I am humbled to have won in the student category of the steelChallenge World Championship. Having won will hugely boost my chances of securing a great job when I’ve finished studying. I am looking forward to entering the steel industry and applying everything I’ve learnt.”
Xiao WU (潇吴), the World Champion in the industry category for 2025, said, “It’s such an honour to have won the steelChallenge World Championship. It’s been very gratifying to have had the opportunity to test myself against other young industry professionals and to have come out on top. I look forward to returning to my company with my head held high. Thank you to steeluniversity for the opportunity.”
The Regional Champions receive the following prizes:
- Certificates for completing the electric arc furnace and secondary steelmaking courses
- Certificate for being Regional Champion
- €500
- Travel allowance to take part in the World Championship in Sydney, Australia
- iPad to run the steelmaking integrated simulator
- Recognition by worldsteel and steeluniversity
- Faculty advisors of the student champions also received a travel allowance to observe the World Championship in Sydney, Australia, and a steeluniversity certificate of appreciation.
Additionally, the World Champions receive the following prizes:
- €500
- World Champion certificate
- steelChallenge-19 trophy
All registered participants received access to the electric arc furnace and secondary steelmaking courses, including e-learning, 3D interactive models and simulators. Registered participants completing the courses received completion certificates. Also, participants successfully completing a simulation run during steelChallenge-19 received a competition certificate.
The World Championship Finalists were:
| Industry category | ||
| Participant | Affiliation | Region |
| Carlos ARROYO | Acerinox S.A. | Europe and Africa / UK |
| Leandro RODRIGUES RIBEIRO | ArcelorMittal | Americas |
| Amer Abdelkader Mohamed AMER | EMSTEEL | Asia – West |
| Xiao WU (潇吴) | HBIS Group Co., Ltd. | Asia – North |
| Boseong PARK (박보성) | POSCO | Asia – East and Oceania |
| Student category | ||
| Participant | Affiliation | Region |
| Ožbej MODRIJAN | University of Ljubljana | Europe and Africa |
| Daniel AQUER | Universidade Federal do Ceará | Americas |
| Vivek SOREN | Shavnak Nanavati Technical Institute | Asia – West |
| Lu Hezhong (贺忠 卢) | Tangshan Vocational College of Science and Technology | Asia – North |
| Junho LEE (이준호) | Jeonbuk National University | Asia – East and Oceania |
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Notes
- steeluniversity is the education and training programme of the World Steel Association, delivering education and training to current and future employees of steel companies and related
- steelChallenge-19 is sponsored at the ‘Steel’ level by Alacero, Danieli, UNESID, JSW, POSCO and HBIS Group. Gerdau is a ‘Gold’ level sponsor. EMSTEEL, Korean Iron & Steel Association (KOSA), Tata Steel and Ternium are ‘Silver’ level sponsors. ArcelorMittal, Hadeed Saudi Iron & Steel Co., JFE Steel and Tenaris are ‘Bronze’ level sponsors.
- The World Steel Association (worldsteel) is one of the largest and most dynamic industry associations in the world, with members in every major steel-producing country. worldsteel represents steel producers, national and regional steel industry associations, and steel research institutes. Members represent around 85% of global steel production.