Brdo pri Kranju, 16 September 2025 - The Golden Innovation award recognises the contribution of Slovenia's largest steel manufacturing group to the transition toward safe, clean and carbon-free fusion electricity.

At Innovation Day 2025, the main national event of the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the promotion of innovation and creativity, which took place on 16 September at Brdo pri Kranju, the SIJ Group once again proved that the steel industry is one of the most innovative sectors of the economy. Over the past five years, the group has regularly been among the recipients of national gold and silver awards. Including this year's awards, they have received a total of 12, half of them gold and half silver.

This year, the National Innovation Gold Award went to XM-19 stainless steel for the construction of a tokamak test fusion reactor from SIJ Acroni. The steel is designed to operate over a wide temperature range – from cryogenic temperatures as low as –269°C to high temperatures up to 650°C, typical of fusion reactor conditions. Compared to conventional stainless steel, XM-19 offers twice as high mechanical strength and significantly improved corrosion resistance, making it suitable in many other demanding industries such as nuclear, chemical, petrochemical, marine and food. "With the innovative steel used in the tokamak test fusion reactor, we at SIJ Acroni are playing an active role in the transition to a low-carbon society and safe, clean and carbon-free fusion energy, thereby responding to an increased demand for electricity in the future," said Boštjan Bradaškja, Chief Development Engineer for stainless steel and leader of the team that developed XM-19, at the award ceremony.

Branko Žerdoner, Managing Director of SIJ Acroni expressed his pride upon receiving the award and the innovation-friendly environment in the company: "Innovation is at the heart of our development and the key to a sustainable future. At SIJ Acroni, we respond to market challenges with innovative solutions, while also fostering creativity within the company. Our innovations are not just technological solutions, they are a reflection of the collective effort, knowledge and commitment of our teams, who jointly shape the future of the steel industry. The national gold award confirms that we are on the right track toward sustainable development, quality and technological excellence."

SIJ Metal Ravne, a company of the SIJ Group, received the silver award for their innovative development of the SINOXX S450 superferritic steel for use in demanding applications in the electrical industry, such as nuclear applications, where, due to its extremely low cobalt levels (less than 0.05 percent by weight), the steel does not become radioactive and can be fully recycled at the end of its service life without any additional risk to the environment or human health. SIJ Group steels are made from secondary raw materials, such as steel scrap, which, in line with the principles of the circular economy, can be recycled again and again without compromising their quality. The innovation will be applied in two versions of electric motors installed in modern nuclear systems.

The SIJ Group invests in technology and development to create new types of steel. The group builds on its extensive in-house expertise by collaborating with national research and training institutions and prides itself on developing types of steel that are lighter, thinner, longer lasting and thus have a smaller carbon footprint and which are used in the most demanding industries, especially those producing green energy.

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SIJ – Slovenian Steel Group is one of the leading producers of stainless steel and special steels in Europe. We are committed to global and European climate goals and operate in line with circular economy principles. With our steel and steel products, we are the right partner for facilitating the green transition in Europe. In 2024, we reinforced our sustainability credentials by achieving certification to the rigorous ResponsibleSteel standard. This has positioned us as one of the world’s most responsible and sustainable steel producers. Our two largest companies are modern recycling steelworks, and our steel is recycled because it is made from steel scrap. With more than 3,600 employees, we are one of the largest employers in Slovenia and a pillar of the Slovenian steel sector. We are one of Slovenia's leading exporters. About 85% of our revenue is generated in foreign markets.

More information:

SIJ – Slovenska industrija jekla, d.d.

Sara Wagner, Head of Corporate Communications

Corporate Communications

Telephone: +386 1 242 98 27

Mobile phone: +386 41 313 532

E-mail: sara.wagner@sij.si