An article in Iron & Steel Technology and an international award underscore the companies’ achievements in artificial intelligence, operational efficiency, and CO₂ reduction in the steel industry
09/06/2026 – By Isabella Paiva – Marketing Analyst at Vetta
Vetta, in partnership with the SMS group, has earned significant international recognition from the Association for Iron & Steel Technology (AIST), one of the leading technical authorities in the global steel industry.
One of the highlights was the publication of the article “Real Case of Optimization in the Recovery and Use of Steelmaking Gases Through an Artificial Intelligence Tool Leading to CO₂ Reduction” in the May 2026 issue of Iron & Steel Technology, a global reference publication for the iron and steel sector. The study presents the practical application of the digital solution through Viridis Dispatch at an integrated steel mill in Brazil, using artificial intelligence, predictive models, and optimization algorithms to improve the recovery and distribution of steelmaking gases in real time.
The solution was developed to address one of the most complex challenges in steel plant operations: balancing the generation, consumption, and distribution of industrial gases across different areas of the plant, while simultaneously considering operational variables, energy efficiency, safety constraints, operational stability, and environmental impact.
During operational tests conducted at the plant, operators followed the recommendations generated by the system for six consecutive hours. The result was a 17% reduction in the consumption of natural gas used in the operation’s gas mixture, directly contributing to lower CO₂ emissions and reduced operating costs.
The project also brought significant qualitative gains to the operation, including standardization of decision-making, greater data reliability, integration among operational areas, and better monitoring of industrial indicators. Another important recognition took place during AISTech 2026, held from May 4 to 6, 2026. On that occasion, the article “Multiobjective Optimization of Coal Blend for Cokemaking Using NSGA-III” received "Josef S. Kapitan – Cokemaking Award" for the work presented at the previous edition of the event, in 2025.
Developed by Vetta professionals Ana Carolina Rocha, Arthur Farah, Kássio Cançado, and Lis Soares, the study addresses the optimization of the coal blend used in coke production. The research uses the NSGA-III (Non-Dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm III) algorithm to perform multi-objective optimization, simultaneously seeking to minimize costs and maximize coke strength after reaction. The model was applied using real data from a South American steel plant, validating its ability to recommend optimal blends capable of improving coke quality and reducing production costs.
These awards reinforce Vetta and SMS’s efforts in developing solutions based on artificial intelligence, data science, and applied engineering for the steel industry. More than just technological advances, these projects demonstrate how digital technologies can generate tangible operational impact by combining efficiency, competitiveness, and sustainability in highly complex industrial operations.
To read the full article published in Iron & Steel Technology, click here.