The manufacturing sector, particularly in industries such as cement and steel, presents unique challenges for decarbonization due to its inherently carbon-intensive nature. As global pressures and regulatory mandates push toward achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, there is an urgent need to develop and implement strategic solutions beyond basic compliance.

Central to these efforts are breakthroughs in carbon capture technologies and innovative decarbonization strategies tailored to each industry’s specific processes. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) has emerged as a pivotal technology, offering pathways to reduce emissions while maintaining industrial output significantly. Concurrently, exploring alternative raw materials, energy efficiency improvements, and circular economy principles contribute to the strategic transformation of these sectors.

Cement production, for instance, is exploring using clinker substitutes and alternative cementitious materials to lower CO2 emissions. In the steel industry, advancements in hydrogen-based production processes are anticipated to curtail reliance on carbon-intensive energy sources.

Decarbonization in these sectors hinges on robust collaboration among industry leaders, policymakers, and research institutions. Addressing technical and economic challenges requires coordinated efforts to create supportive policy frameworks and incentivize investments in R&D, infrastructure adaptation, and novel technologies.

This event will bring together key stakeholders to explore actionable strategies, foster collaboration, and highlight the business case for leading the transition to a low-carbon future in hard-to-abate manufacturing sectors. Public-private partnerships and cross-industry collaboration will be discussed as essential components in delivering the scale and impact needed to meet emission reduction targets and unlock competitive advantages in a sustainable economy.

Session

Opening
Francesco Campagna
Partner – Roland Berger

Fabio Passaro
Senior Policy Specialist, ITA (Industrial Transition Accelerator) – Mission Possible Partnership

From Pledges to Projects: Accelerating Investment Decisions in Hard-to-Abate sectors

Leonardo Bonetti
Partner – Roland Berger 
Decarbonisation in Hard-To-Abate Manufacturing Industries: Not Just An Obligation, A Strategic Move

Nicola Zampella
DG – Federbeton
Driving Decarbonization in the Cement Industry

Walter Da Riz
Direttore – Assovetro  
Challenges and Opportunities for The Ecological Transition of The Glass Industry  

Break (11.10 – 11.40)

Robert Baron
Principal – Roland Berger 
The importance of Scope 3.1 emissions in steel & how to tackle them

Robert Schimke
SVP of Transformation, Thyssenkrupp – remotely
Green Transformation in thyssenkrupp steel

Julia Seeber
Managing Director, Amministratore Delegato Italia – SSAB Swedish Steel  
Transforming the future of steel

Round table “Steel decarbonization: a global race toward sustainable competitiveness – which road for Italian producers?”

Moderator: Giacomo Sandicchi
Principal – Roland Berger 

Giovan Battista Landra
Group Sustainability & Environment Director- Beltrame  

Carolina De Miranda
Sustainability Manager – Ori Martin   

Emanuele Norsa
Head of Content – Siderweb 

Filippo Cirilli
Hydra Chairman – RINA
Rina solutions to decarbonise Hard to Abate Sectors: general approach and case study analysis, the Hydra Project

Closing
Francesco Campagna
Partner – Roland Berger

Curated by Roland Berger