Interview with Till Schreiter, CEO of ABP Induction Systems GmbH: “Bright World of Metals”
Which themes will shape the leading trade fair “The Bright World of Metals” in 2023?
Two themes will clearly dominate this year’s leading trade fair: decarbonisation and digitalisation. Decarbonisation as the overarching theme – digitalisation as its enabler, that is, as the technology that makes decarbonisation possible.
The steel industry and the metallurgical plant engineering sector must implement the transition to climate-neutral steel production within a short timeframe. How can this be achieved?
The technologies required for this have been available for a long time. Furthermore, we are also seeing numerous investments in the first pilot projects and the retrofitting of production lines. Such a transformation requires time and money. Both are available. That is why I am confident that even ambitious targets can be achieved. The steel industry and the metallurgical plant engineering sector have revolutionised industry in the past as well. What we urgently need is planning certainty, so that the financial resources are actually available. This is where politics comes into play. Legislators must establish the framework conditions and protect the industry from imports from countries where sustainability and human rights are not a priority.
How can digitalisation help to reduce CO2 emissions?
Digitalisation plays a very important role when it comes to decarbonisation, but not only there. Digitalisation is not an end in itself, but rather a key catalyst that makes decarbonisation possible in the first place. Digitalisation enables us to create and simulate a wide range of scenarios in a very short space of time, to communicate globally in seconds, to free ourselves from time-consuming routine tasks, and to preserve, develop and pass on experiential knowledge. And these are just a few of the possible approaches. Digitalisation also plays this same vital role in tackling other major challenges.
What new applications do you see for induction systems in the steel industry?
In addition to melting scrap and valuable alloys, a key area is reheating during the further processing of slabs and other semi-finished products in the long products sector. At present, this is still predominantly carried out using gas. If we were to replace these processes with inductive and resistance-heating methods, up to fifty per cent of the steel industry’s gas consumption could be saved.
How can innovation in mechanical and plant engineering be promoted – what sets successful companies apart?
Innovation requires the exchange of ideas and networking between different subject matter experts and fields of knowledge. This must be encouraged and facilitated. The city of Dortmund, for example, is currently working on a digital centre. We are contributing to this as a company, so that experts from various disciplines can exchange ideas on the topic of digitalisation. The aim is to develop new ideas for various fields of application. To achieve this goal, funding alone is not enough: companies must be supported and guided through the necessary cultural transformation. In my view, it is this ability to constantly evolve and adapt to changing conditions and challenges that sets successful companies apart.
What are your company’s key focuses at the leading trade fair “The Bright World of Metals”?
We will be highlighting the potential of digitalisation and decarbonisation. It is important to us to visualise the necessary processes and measures and bring them to life. It will also be very important that, following the COVID-19 restrictions, face-to-face interaction will once again be possible. We already experienced this last year: in-depth discussions are vital for exploring topics in greater detail, exchanging views and driving ideas forward. That is why we expect a strong turnout from visitors. Our presence at the trade fair will focus on this – with plenty of space for exchanging ideas, generating knowledge and engaging in discussion.