Mexican Steel Forum

9:00AM Registration desk opens

9:55AM Chairperson's remarks

10:00AM One Stop Scrap Shop - everything you need to know about the Mexican scrap market

Kicking off the day with a fun, interactive workshop that addresses all your common scrap questions

10:45AM Executive panel - getting to the bottom of the North American scrap market

• What do current trade flows between the US and Mexico look like?
• How have depressed prices affected downstream steel production? How is the scrap supply chain mitigating risk?
• Do we anticipate a rejuvenation in the market?
• What is the relationship between scrap supply and demand?

11:30AM Networking refreshment break

12:15PM The dynamics of Mexican scrap as seen by Roca Acero

• Generation and availability of scrap in México.
• Scrap consumption and flows in México.
• Different processes for  industrial and obsolete scrap.

12:45PM Examining the scrap flows between the US and Mexico

• An overview of regional scrap production hubs
• Does the scrap freight industry suffer from the same challenges as finished steel transportation?
• How has the downturn in price affected the freight industry?

1:15PM Networking lunch break

2:45PM A deep dive into raw material pricing assessment

• Examining pricing trends for Mexican and Latin American scrap
• Does Mexico’s scrap pricing align with the wider global market?
• Import and export trends for busheling, shredded and sheet

3:15PM Your need-to-know scrap consumer trends

• What is the current downstream steel demand mills are witnessing, and how likely are they to source raw materials from abroad?
• Where are mills sourcing their scrap and at what rate are they purchasing it?
• Are there specific grades of scrap that mills are more interested in?

3:45PM Close of Scrap Seminar Day and networking drinks reception

8:00AM Registration desk opens

8:55AM Chairperson's opening remarks

9:00AM Opening Address by Fastmarkets

9:15AM Executive panel: insights on market dynamics across the supply chain

• What is the state of the market one year later?
• How has the new government impacted the steel industry?
• Where are the latest opportunities for both producers and end users?

10:15AM Assessing import and export trends of Mexican steel

• How have we seen the market for semi-finished and finished steel over the past year?
• Can we expect an upturn in prices for next year? Which products look the most promising?
• Analysing trade flows between Mexico, North America, and the wider market

10:45AM Networking refreshment break

11:30AM European and Mexican steel: joining the dots

• Overall situation of TR steel, situation in 2018-19
• Current situation in TR flats steel, in line with investments in last couple years
• Protectionism: Effects of S232 and EU safeguard.
• TR and MX common points: auto and white goods industries, targeting North American and EU markets.

12:15PM Building the future? Current activity and predicted demand for the construction industry

• An overview of new projects and expected upstream demand
• Is construction set to become the most important end use for steel in AMLO’s administration?
• How are the steel requirements for construction materials changing?

12:45PM 'Greener steel' in Mexico - is energy reform trickling down?

• How has the way Mexico makes steel changed over the last decade? How does this align with government objectives?
• What impact does this have on the quality of steel produced?
• How can current mills take advantage of new technologies in a cost effective way?

1:15PM Networking lunch break

2:30PM How can the latest technical advancements in steel melting give your company’s production a boost?

3:00PM Driving the change? The rise and fall of the Mexican automotive market, and what to expect for next year

• Assessing the reasons behind market volatility in Mexico’s automotive sector
• What are the biggest challenges facing automotive OEMs today? How can companies seek to overcome them?
• How do the European and Asian markets impact domestic production in Mexico? Where are its most prolific trading partnerships?
• Are there sectors outperforming the Mexican auto industry? If so, which?

3:45PM Networking refreshment break

4:15PM All eyes on Mexico - the US' approach to strategic opportunities south of the border

• Assessing the health of steel in the USA and the project activity of 2020
• How is Mexico’s steel industry of strategic importance to the United States? Is this set to continue?
• What will US steel importers and exporters be watching out for in the Mexican steel industry?

5:00PM End of day one and the rooftop cocktail drinks reception

8:30AM Registration desk opens

9:25AM Chairperson's opening remarks

9:30AM Spotlight on service centers

• What are the main challenges service centers are facing in the current market downturn?
• Assessing the pricing trends of semi-finished steel products
• What is the nature of competition between service centers in Mexico? What can companies do to ensure competitive advantage?

10:15AM Perspective of a steel mill

• How are Mexican mills coping with the decrease in demand? What strategies are they enforcing?
• Assessing the impact of decreased steelmaking capacity and what this could mean for the economy as a whole
• Are mills seeking alternatives to the domestic market?

10:45AM Networking refreshment break

11:30AM Aluminium and automotive – one year later

• Examining the outlook for aluminum in the automotive industry how has this has progressed over the past year
• Is it likely that aluminum demand will replace steel demand for the production of vehicles?
• What other steel-dominant industries have been affected?

12:00PM Close of Day Two of the Mexican Steel Forum and Networking Lunch