The Regional Championship of steelChallenge-17 took place online for 24 hours on 16 November 2022. This year’s steelChallenge attracted 1,298 participants representing more than 70 companies and 80 academic institutions from 27 countries. They used steeluniversity’s steelmaking simulator to produce the best steel at the lowest cost meeting carbon footprint requirements.

Jorge Muract, Director, steeluniversity said, “This new edition of steelChallenge was incredibly challenging for all. Participants joined this game-based learning experience by attending masterclasses, taking online courses, participating in our discussion forums, and practising with our simulators. Thanks to all steel companies and universities involved in this experience who are helping us to build a stronger relationship for the steel sector”.

The first-placed people in both the ‘industry’ and ‘student’ categories from each of the five regions will be invited to the World Championship in April 2023. In addition, all participants completing a successful run of the integrated simulator will receive a certificate of accomplishment.

Scott Chubbs, Deputy Director General, worldsteel, said, “We are working to hold the World Championship in Vienna, Austria. We hope to see all the finalists there after some years of virtual finals due to the global health and travel situation”.

steelChallenge-17 utilised steeluniversity’s electric arc furnace steelmaking and secondary steelmaking in a combined simulation. Participants were tasked to produce a grade of steel meeting technical requirements at the lowest cost per tonne with carbon footprint requirements. The simulation used a grade of steel specifically designed for steelChallenge-17.

Competitors could undertake ‘runs’ of the simulation during the 24-hour competition period. A ‘run’ was concluded when the simulation had completed the set time, the result had been registered in the competition database, and the competitor had received a confirmation of successful completion.

The best ‘run’ of each competitor was to determine their score and placement in the Regional Championship.

All registered participants for steelChallenge-17 received access to the Electric Arc Furnace and Secondary Steelmaking courses, including e-learning, 3D interactive models and simulators. Registered participants completing the Electric Arc Furnace and Secondary Steelmaking courses received completion certificates for each course.