The combined efforts of teams from Flat Latam, Global Research and Development (R&D), and Group Technology Office (CTO) were named winners in the “Business Model Transformation” category, as well as being recognised alongside other leading global manufacturers and industry innovators for their outstanding contributions.
On June 18, ArcelorMittal earned two prestigious awards at the 2025 Manufacturing Leadership Council (MLC) Awards for their innovative AI-Driven ‘Approach to Investment Assessment’, developed as part of the Vega expansion project in Brazil.
ArcelorMittal has been investing in the expansion of the Vega plant in São Francisco do Sul, Santa Catarina since 2021, to enhance its cold rolling, annealing, and galvanizing capabilities. In June 2024 the new Continuous Annealing Line/Continuous Galvanizing Line (CAL/CGL) officially began production, increasing annual production capacity by 640,000 tonnes and raising the plant’s total annual output.
This project marks a major strategic shift, showcasing ArcelorMittal’s unique ability to integrate cutting-edge technology into manufacturing operations at the planning, execution, and strategic levels. Through the use of artificial intelligence and advanced machine learning, ArcelorMittal simulated capital investment scenarios, forecasted demand for high-value steel products, optimised operations, and minimised risk in decision-making. This resulted in a scalable framework for global deployment and a new technological benchmark for the steel industry.
The MLC is a global, member-driven network that brings together senior executives committed to the future of manufacturing. As the digital transformation arm of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), MLC supports companies in adopting advanced digital operating models. Its mission is to accelerate technological innovation, foster organisational change, and cultivate next-generation leadership in the industry.
Learn more about the MLC Awards, here. For exclusive insights from ArcelorMittal’s Global R&D leaders on how AI is powering innovation at ArcelorMittal, explore our latest Steel Works series.