How could the industrial sector contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions? How to do this in practice without harming the companies’ competitiveness? Representatives from academia and the steel industry will gather together to discuss these issues at ABM WEEK 2019. Taking place in São Paulo from October 1 to 3, the event will comprise a roundtable to debate solutions to mitigate emissions of carbon dioxide. (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and perfluorocarbons (PFCs), gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect.

Pressure from civil society and government agencies around the globe to reduce atmospheric emissions drives the search for technologies that lead to cleaner production. As an energy-intensive sector based on an energy matrix that depends heavily on fossil fuels, the steel industry accounts for a significant share of industrial GHG emissions. In such a context, notwithstanding all the initiatives companies have taken to mitigate emissions, we have to discuss how to contribute further, what kind of technology should be prioritized, and what are the possible impacts and opportunities that the industry may face in the near future,” says Eder Quental de Araújo, senior energy and utilities specialist at Gerdau and coordinator of ABM WEEK roundtable. According to Araújo, the roundtable “GHG Emission: the Brazilian steel industry case” will address the importance of both preventive and corrective maintenance of industrial facilities to reducing emissions, among other pertinent topics. 

Scheduled for Thursday, October 3rd, the meeting will be attended by Guilherme Borba Lefreve, project manager with Getúlio Vargas Foundation (FGV), Lucila Caselato, sustainability manager at the Brazil Steel Institute, and Priscila Freire Rocha, environmental specialist at FIESP (the Industry Federation of the State of São Paulo). Cenira Moura Nunes, Gerdau's environmental manager, will act as debate moderator.

About ABM WEEK
ABM WEEK is Latin America’s main technical-scientific event in the metals, materials, and mining industry. 
Promoted by the Brazilian Metallurgy, Materials and Mining Association (ABM), the event’s core objective is to enhance technology exchange, industrial development, and company competitiveness. It is also a great opportunity for professionals to share knowledge, engage in networking, and keep up with the latest trends in the industry.

The diversified, comprehensive program includes technical, panel, and plenary sessions, as well as business rounds, HR rounds, cocktails, and exhibition.
Industry’s critical topics will be on focus, including robotization, the role of start-ups in productivity improvement, and sustainable development.
The expectation is to attract more than 1,500 people representing major industry players from both Brazil and abroad, universities, research centers, and technology institutes.

On top of being a preferred forum to discuss current issues, ABM WEEK is also relevant for its size and comprehensiveness. The event brings together 11 simultaneous events that represent ABM’s long-lasting tradition: ABM’s 74th Annual Congress, 56th Rolling Seminar, 50th Steelmaking, Casting and Non-Ferrous Metallurgy Seminar, 49th Ironmaking Seminar, 20th Mining Symposium, 7th Ore Agglomeration Symposium, 38th Logistics Seminar, 40th Seminar on Utilities and Global Energy Balances, 34th Meeting of Industrial Gas Producers and Consumers, 23rd Automation and IT Seminar, and 19th Enemet – National Meeting of Metallurgical, Materials and Mining Engineering Students. 
In addition, this year's edition will host the 11th International Rolling Conference (IRC 2019), promoted by the International Society of Steel Institutes (ISSI).

ABM WEEK relies on sponsorship by the following companies (updated on September 4, 2019): Açokorte, Aperam, ArcelorMittal, Atomat, Beda, BRC, Cargo X, CBMM, Clariant, Condat, Danieli, Dassaut Systemès, DDMX, DME Engenharia, DSI Montagens Refratárias , ESW, Fosbel, Gerdau, Harsco, Hatch Cisdi, Ibar, Imerys, IMS Messsysteme, Ingersoll Rand, John Cockerill, Kelk/PLM, Kuttner, Lechler, Login Logística, Maina, Metso, Nalco, Nokia, Paradiso Giovanella, Paul Wurth, Polytec, Primetals, PSI Metals, Pyrotek, Reframax, RHI Magnesita, RIP, Saint-Gobain, SMS Group, Spraying Systems, Suez Water, Suncoke, Tecnosulfur, Ternium, Timken, Tora, Unifrax, Usiminas, Vale, Vamtec, Vesuvius, Villares Metals, VLI Logísticas, White Martins. Moreover, the event is supported by the following organizations: Abendi, AIST, Capes, CNPq, Instituto Aço Brasil, Instituto Brasileiro de Mineração - Ibram and SAE Brasil. 

Details
ABM WEEK 2019
Promoted by: Brazilian Metallurgy, Materials and Mining Association – ABM
Date: October 1 to 3, 2019
Place: Pro Magno Center of Events (Avenida Professora Ida Kolb, 513 - Jardim das Laranjeiras - São Paulo / SP)
Information and registration: www.abmbrasil.com.br/eventos
 

Text: Juliana Nakamura