This book presents the impact of digital transformation and other megatrends on the steel industry, focusing on the digitization of processes, and the automation and robotization of operations in steel companies.

Introduction.- 1. Megatrends in modern industrial transformation.- 2. Trends in steel processes during digital and climate changes.- 3. Polish steel industry in industrial transformation.- 4. Steel transformation towards smart steel manufacturing: direct research in Poland.- 5. Model framework of smart steel transformation.- 6. Summary.

This book offers a comprehensive exploration of the intersection between digital technologies and the steel industry, specifically in Poland. By combining theoretical insights with direct research, it highlights the impact of Industry 4.0 and 5.0 on steel manufacturing and decarbonisation. It is an essential read for professionals and researchers looking to understand how automation, digitisation, and sustainability are transforming the steel sector globally and regionally.

Robert Wolny, University of Economics in Katowice, Poland

This book presents the impact of digital transformation and other megatrends on the steel industry, focusing on the digitization of processes, and the automation and robotization of operations in steel companies. Technological innovations in the steel industry are presented, as well as the changes taking place within the supply chains An essential part of the book is the results of direct research, which deal with the transformation of enterprises to smart steel manufacturing. The research was done on the Polish steel market, which is an open market with foreign capital. Exploring a sample of representatives of steel companies that serve both domestic and foreign markets, this book discusses the implementation of the pillars of Industry 4.0 as well as the strategic transformation of the steel industry.

Bożena Gajdzik is an Associate Professor at the Department of Industrial Informatics at the Silesian University of Technology, Poland. She has been dealing with the economics of business entities, including company management and steel mills. Her output includes 660 publications at national and international publishers, including 30 books about company management and business environment, as well as her monographs about steel industry. Her research is about the restructuring of the Polish steel sector, changes to steel mills in the market in Poland, and now about the transformation of steel industry to Industry 4.0. Scientific interests include economics of business entities, company management, restructuring processes in the steel sector in Poland, changes in the steel industry, competitiveness of steel mills, innovation in steel companies, energy and resources intensity in the steel sector, and smart steel manufacturing. She is ranked in Stanford's Top 2 Scientists list.

“The changes presented in the book are very important for development of steelworks in the era of Industry 4.0. The book presents the results of direct research that was realized in the Polish steel market. In my opinion this book contributes to the management science studies and may also be useful for practical business.” (Prof. Ryszard Barcik, Katowice Business University, Poland)

“The book presents changes in the Polish steel industry towards smart manufacturing. I think that the presented results of research can be a good case study to advanced analysis of industrial transformation in other countries. At the era of Industry 4.0, I recommend this book because its topic is current and important for industries.” (Prof. Witold Biały, KOMAG Institute of Mining Technology, Poland)

“I would like to recommend this book about industrial digital changes in the strongly promoted Industry 4.0 concept. The author Bożena Gajdzik did own direct research in the segment of the Polish steel sector. The results of this research show that steel mills are moving towards smart steel manufacturing, so the Industry 4.0 concept is important for industries, it is worth further promoting.” (Prof. Wojciech J. Cynarski, Full Professor, University of Rzeszow, Rzeszów, Poland)

“The monograph "Digital Transformation Towards Smart Steel Manufacturing" covers the digitalization of steelworks processes with an emphasis on new trends and an ecological approach. The book focuses on analyses of the Polish steel industry, which is one of the largest in Europe. It is important to note that, in general, there is a lack of publications dealing with digitization and Industry 4.0 technologies in continuous manufacturing processes.” (Dr. Roman Danel, Member of Czech Society for System Integration and Researcher at VSTE – Institute of Technology and Business in České Budějovice, Czech Republic and VSB – Technical University of Ostrava, Faculty of Economics, Department of System Engineering and Informatics, Czech Republic)

“The transformation of Katowice after the system change in 1989 is remarkable. Katowice, known as a city producing coal and steal during the communist era, has become a sophisticated modern city, with a noteworthy steal industry. Previously it had polluted environment, but thanks to Industry 4.0 and digitalization, it has become an environmentally friendly and smart industry. The author describes this transformation vividly.” (Yoji Koyama, Professor Emeritus, Niigata University, Japan)

“The book presents the results of original and innovative research carried out in Polish steel sector, regarding the transformation of this sector strongly influenced by both the Industry 4.0 technology and the climate transformation (Net Zero 2050 Strategy). I definitely recommend this book due to its very high scientific level, comprehensive and innovative approach to the issues considered.” (Andrzej W. Kozina, Associate Professor of Management, Cracow University of Economics, Department of Public Policies, Poland)

“This work is a timely contribution to the energy-efficient and green digitalization of steel industries. It emphasizes smart manufacturing and supply chain processes in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, enhanced by Industry 5.0 technologies. The book is valuable for theoreticians and practitioners since it is based on scholarly literature and is rounded off with a comprehensive survey among Polish practitioners.” (John Andrew van der Poll, Research Professor, Digital Transformation and Supply Chain Management, Graduate School of Business Leadership, University of South Africa, South Africa)

“I recommend the book Digital Transformation towards Smart Steel Manufacturing. A Framwork for Steel Enterprises in Poland that provides a structured approach to how traditional industries can evolve in the digital age. The book offers a fascinating look at how Industry 4.0 principles are transforming the steel industry, particularly in Poland. It highlights key trends in digitalization, making it relevant for both academia and businesses. The book provides a practical framework for companies aiming to modernize, making it a great read for those exploring the future of industrial manufacturing.” (Hana Štverková, Assistant Professor at VSB - Technical University of Ostrava, Czech Republic)

“Professor Gajdzik's "Digital Transformation towards Smart Steel Manufacturing" offers a concise yet comprehensive analysis of Industry 4.0 in Poland's steel sector, based on research involving 253 companies. The monograph effectively combines theory and practice, highlighting the crucial role of decarbonization in smart steel manufacturing. In my opinion this is a valuable resource for researchers and industry professionals.” (Wieslaw Urban, Professor of Management, Bialystok University of Technology, Poland)

“Digital Transformation towards Smart Steel Manufacturing. A Framework for Steel Enterprises in Poland offers a comprehensive exploration of the intersection between digital technologies and the steel industry, specifically in Poland. By combining theoretical insights with direct research, the book highlights the impact of Industry 4.0 and 5.0 on steel manufacturing and decarbonisation. It is an essential read for professionals and researchers looking to understand how automation, digitisation, and sustainability are transforming the steel sector globally and regionally.” (Robert Wolny, University of Economics in Katowice, Poland)

“The steel industry has a direct impact on the competitiveness and resilience of the European Union industry. This strategic sector is facing many challenges today. This book helps to analyze and map the changes in the steel industry due to digital transformation and presents a unique smart model framework supported by direct research in enterprises.” (Frantisek Zapletal, Associate Professor, Head of the Department of Systems Engineering and Informatics, VŠB – Technical University of Ostrava, Czech Republic)