Humans, machines and the digital steel plant: Disruption, interaction, and innovation

Kurt Herzog completed his master’s degree in industrial automation at the Technical University of Vienna and his MBA at the Linz Management Academy.

In 1997, Kurt began working for VAI, a predecessor company of Primetals Technologies, in the area of process automation, and held several management functions in electronics and automation as well as in engineering. Since 2016, he has been responsible for the Industry 4.0 portfolio of Primetals Technologies.

Satschin Bansal is Vice president of worldwide sales & global partner ecosystem at ANYbotics. With over 20 years of experience, Satschin has led international growth strategies for Fortune 500s and innovative start-ups, building major partnerships and driving digital transformation. Renowned for expanding global ecosystems, coaching high-performing teams, and pioneering new business models, he brings deep expertise in market expansion, strategic alliances, and business development across industries.

Antonius Johannes Schröder is a senior researcher at Sozialforschungsstelle Dortmund, specializing in social and workplace innovation, lifelong learning, and qualification for Industry 4.0 and 5.0. He is a leader in European skills alliances for the steel and process industries, coordinator of numerous EU projects, managing director of the European School of Social Innovation, and Chair of the “People” Focus Group within the European Steel Technology Platform (ESTEP).

Dr. Michael Bott is the director of decarbonisation at SHS - Stahl-Holding-Saar GmbH & Co. KGaA. With nearly 30 years of experience in the steel industry, Dr. Bott has held various leadership positions at Dillinger, where he has been integral to managing the company's central coking plant, blast furnaces at ROGESA, the steelworks in Dillingen, and the rolling mills in both Dillingen and Dunkirk, France.

Since January 2024, Dr. Bott has spearheaded the ‘Power4Steel’ project, the largest decarbonization initiative in Europe, led by Saarstahl and Dillinger, aimed at transitioning towards greener, more sustainable steel production. In addition, Dr. Bott has served as managing director of ROGESA since 2021 and was previously the director of production at Dillinger, overseeing the entire production process from pig iron to finished heavy plate.

Dr. Bott’s expertise in steel production and decarbonization makes him an important voice in the green steel transition. At this conference, he will present the Power4Steel project, highlighting how Saarstahl and Dillinger are tackling the challenges of carbon-neutral steel production.

Alexander Thekale is the technology officer, electrics and automation, at Primetals Technologies. He previously held the position of innovation manager, electrics and automation, and head of digital solutions for downstream technology at Primetals. He holds a PhD in mathematics, and a diploma in applied mathematics, both from the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg.

Joachim Lehner serves as head of technical processes at voestalpine Stahl, Business Unit Slab, bringing more than 20 years of experience in iron and steel production. Throughout his career, he has held leading positions in plant engineering, quality management, secondary and primary metallurgy, and steelmaking R&D. Since April 2024, he is responsible for managing strategic investment projects and Research and Development activities within the Business Unit Slab. His expertise includes metallurgy, process optimization, quality and project management, PPS system design, change management and Six Sigma. Joachim holds a Master of Engineering in Metallurgy from Montanuniversität Leoben. As a member of ASMET and AIST, he actively supports the advancement of metallurgy through close collaboration between industry, universities, and research institutions.