OREANDA-NEWS. January 22, 2013. Lakshmi N. Mittal, chairman and CEO of ArcelorMittal, was today awarded with a Doctor Honoris Causa by the AGH University of Science and Technology in Krakow, Poland. The honorary degree is the university’s recognition of Mr Mittal’s contribution to the development of both the Polish and global steel industry. It also reflects the history of cooperation between the university and ArcelorMittal, reported the press-centre of ArcelorMittal.

Speaking at the ceremony, Lakshmi N. Mittal said: “The Academy is extremely important for the entire steel sector”. Referring to the difficult economic situation in the steel market, he highlighted the importance of the Polish plants within ArcelorMittal, saying: “Krakow is now home to Europe’s most modern hot rolling mill, built in 2007 with an investment of 1.2 billion zloty (...). Not only do we have the most advanced hot rolling mill in Europe; we also have modern installations at each stage of production.

Today ArcelorMittal Poland is the largest steel producer in the country, concentrating around 70 per cent of Polish steel market capacity, as well as the largest coke producer in Europe with a coke plant located in Zdzieszowice.”

The resolution to award Mr Mittal with the title was passed by the AGH Senate on October 31, 2012. The proposal was submitted by the Faculty of Metals Engineering and Industrial Computer Science, in consultation with the Senates of the Czestochowa University of Technology and the Silesian University of Technology. The supervisor of the proceedings granting the Doctor Honoris Causa title was Professor Miroslaw Karbowniczek.

Representatives of the university emphasised during the ceremony that the achievements of Mr Mittal in the scope of the development of steelmaking worldwide deserve special recognition. Within 30 years, Mr Mittal created the world’s largest steel company - ArcelorMittal. Since the privatisation of Polskie Huty Stali in 2004, ArcelorMittal investments in new technologies in Polish steel plants have exceeded PLN 4.5bn.

On awarding the title to Mr Mittal, the AGH Senate noted his “contribution to the strategic development and consolidation of the steel industry globally; restructuring and modernisation of the steel industry in Poland; long-term support of AGH scientific work and promotion of AGH University, as well as enabling students to improve their practical knowledge and offering attractive workplaces to graduates.”

ArcelorMittal and AGH have a long history of mutual cooperation, allowing ArcelorMittal Poland to apply the results of many research projects to industrial production, AGH students to take part in internship programmes at the company’s Polish plants and its graduates to find employment with the largest steel producer in Poland.

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ArcelorMittal Poland is the biggest steel producer in the Polish market, with around 70% of production capacity of the Polish steel industry. The company consists of five steel plants located in Krakow, Dabrowa Gornicza, Sosnowiec, Swietochlowice and Chorzow. It also owns the largest coke plant in Europe – ZK Zdzieszowice. ArcelorMittal Poland employs more than 12,000 people – more than 15,000 if subsidiaries are taken into account. The company produces a wide range of long, flat, special and semi products for construction, transport and white goods industries.

Implementing the company’s global sustainability strategy, since 2004 ArcelorMittal Poland has invested more than PLN 4,5bn in technologies which have significantly reduced its environmental footprint. It also enriches local communities, largely by supporting health and education.