Welcome to the Advisory Hub, your independent resource for accessing comprehensive steel sector management support services. All our advisory work converges on one purpose: conflict-free decision support for investment, legal, policy, and corporate decisions.
With over 25 years of proven expertise across 48 countries, we combine deep technical knowledge with strategic business acumen to address the most complex challenges facing today's steel industry.
As a team of industry specialists operating without corporate affiliations or constraints, we deliver objective analysis and strategic guidance tailored specifically to your business needs.
Our consultants bring decades of hands-on experience from major steel producers, financial institutions, and government agencies, ensuring recommendations grounded in real-world operational understanding and market dynamics.
Proven Track Record
Our strategic advisory has shaped billion-dollar investments and critical policy outcomes across 48 countries:
π΅π± π¨πΏ EU Accession Programmes β Instrumental in Poland and Czech Republic steel sector restructuring enabling EU membership.
πΉπ· Major Privatisations β Due diligence for Turkey's integrated steel producer acquisition.
π° Investment Evaluations β $500M+ facility assessments, plate mill investments, greenfield developments, green steel technology due diligence.
πͺπ¬ Turnaround Planning β Comprehensive feasibility study identifying pathway from $120m losses to $100m projected profits for major integrated steel plant.
π¦ Financial Restructuring β Banking syndicate advisory for heavily indebted producers, viability assessments for distressed operations.
βοΈ Expert Witness Services β Forensic trade analysis and court testimony for multi-hundred million dollar fraud investigations.
π± Decarbonisation Advisory β Technical due diligence for hydrogen-based steelmaking and green steel investment projects.
Independent analysis trusted by development banks, government agencies, and leading steel producers.
All case studies reflect genuine client engagements with details anonymised to maintain strict client confidentiality.
Our independence is the cornerstone of our advisory approach, allowing us to provide unbiased recommendations based solely on technical merit and market realities. Unlike equipment suppliers or corporate-affiliated consultants, we have no vested interests in particular technologies or solutions, enabling us to evaluate all options objectively and recommend the most effective strategies for your specific circumstances and competitive positioning.
Operated by Metals Consulting International Limited (MCI), we offer a range of professional iron and steel sector business services. The advisory services include:
Before a loan is agreed, a stake acquired or a plant bought, we provide independent steel industry due diligence for banks, funds, shareholders and acquirers. Reviews cover the market, the plant, the business plan and financial model, and environmental issues, and range from full lender reviews and lender's engineer appointments to fast red flag reviews and technical assessments of new plants during commissioning and ramp-up.
Since 2005 we have completed 20 single-country due diligence assignments in 15 countries, and since 2021 we have carried out further steel sector due diligence in eight countries for a leading multilateral development bank.
Steel Industry Trends Analysis
Understanding the forces shaping the global steel industry is essential for making informed strategic decisions. Our comprehensive trends analysis examines the key factors driving change across markets, technology, economics, and environmental regulation.
Explore our detailed analysis of critical industry developments including consumption patterns, product mix evolution, raw material price dynamics, steelmaking technology advances, decarbonisation pathways, and regulatory impacts. These insights inform our consulting recommendations and help clients anticipate market shifts, evaluate investment opportunities, and position their operations for long-term competitiveness.
Access comprehensive coverage of market trends, technological innovation, raw material economics, and environmental developments affecting the steel sector globally.
Steelmaking Cost Analysis
We can provide steel production cost estimates for melting, casting, and rolling of steel for all common production process routes in most locations. These 'cost benchmarking' assessments can be used to create world or regional 'cost curves' identifying the competitive positioning of any particular steelmaker. Example cost calculations and analyses are as follows.
A published code of conduct setting out the professional and ethical standards our consultants work to.
Litigation Support
Through our sister organisation SteelExpertWitness, we also offer iron and steel sector expert witness and litigation support services. For an overview, see our expert witness services page, or visit Steel Expert Witness.
Client Testimonials
EBRD
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
"The EBRD was very pleased with the performance of Dr Andrzej M Kotas, and with that of the whole MCI consulting team. MCI delivered comprehensive written reports and financial assessments to the Bank both quickly and to a high quality standard." Source: Senior Banker
Project: East European iron and steel plant due diligence investigations
OeKB
Austrian Government Development Bank
"MCI delivered the feasibility study to schedule and to a comprehensive and high quality standard. The Consultants supported OeKB professionally throughout the assignment." Source: Vice President
Project: Ukraine steelmaker modernisation feasibility study
Czech Steel Federation
National Steel Industry Association
"Dr Kotas was an essential aspect of the pre-accession discussions held between the Czech and the EC authorities; and indeed an important step in the subsequent privatisation of the industry." Source: Managing Director
"The management of HADISOLB were very pleased with the performance of MCI, who supported us both diligently and efficiently in moving forward with the rehabilitation programme." Source: Technical Director
Project: Iron and steelmaking rehabilitation bankable feasibility study
"Performance of Mr Kotas was diligent and effective for Trinecke Zelezarny a.s. and of the highest professional standards." Source: Chief Executive
Project: European Commission business plan advisory support
IMZ Poland
Institute of Ferrous Metallurgy
"Dr Kotas worked very expertly and professionally on the Steel Programme. The work of Dr Kotas was a very important part of the pre-accession discussions held between the European and Polish authorities." Source: Head of Business Consulting
Success: National Steel Restructuring Plan for EU accession
Comprehensive Steel Industry Intelligence Platform
Our advisory services are supported by the industry's most comprehensive intelligence platform, providing clients with unparalleled access to market data, technical resources, and strategic insights. This integrated approach ensures our consulting recommendations are grounded in real-time market intelligence and decades of documented industry analysis.
Technology & Innovation Intelligence
Our Resource Hub provides clients with cutting-edge technology intelligence including hydrogen steelmaking developments, EAF technology advancements, and our comprehensive BAT Assessment Checklist - the essential tool for evaluating environmental compliance. When advising clients on decarbonisation strategies, we leverage our hydrogen steelmaking intelligence feed to ensure recommendations reflect the latest technological developments.
Market Intelligence & Strategic Analysis
Our Insights Hub delivers expert analysis on industry challenges, policy developments, and strategic initiatives. Recent insights include our analysis of Critical Raw Materials Security and Trillion Dollar Hydrogen Infrastructure requirements - intelligence that directly informs our client advisory work on supply chain resilience and investment planning.
Corporate History & Due Diligence Resources
Our History Hub contains detailed chronologies of the world's top 40 steel producers, providing essential background for M&A due diligence, competitive analysis, and strategic assessments. For example, Nucor's corporate evolution reveals how their 2007 acquisition of scrap processor David J Joseph transformed their raw material costs and supply chain resilience - insights that directly inform recommendations for companies considering upstream integration.
M&A Intelligence & Transaction Analysis
Our M&A Database tracks 192+ steel industry transactions, providing comparative data for business valuations and strategic planning. Recent transactions in our database show steel companies achieving 15-20% cost synergies through strategic restructuring, while scrap recycling acquisitions command EBITDA multiples of 8-15x due to stable cash flows - intelligence that enables sophisticated valuation analysis and deal recommendations.
Real-Time Market Monitoring
Our News Hub provides continuous market monitoring across companies, regions, and topics, ensuring our advisory recommendations reflect current market conditions. This real-time intelligence proves crucial for timing strategic decisions and understanding competitive dynamics.
Capacity & Cost Intelligence Resources
Our platform includes James King's specialised Global Steel Capacity Database and comprehensive Steel Cost Curves covering production costs for hundreds of steelmakers worldwide. This capacity and cost intelligence proves essential for market positioning analysis, competitive benchmarking, and investment feasibility assessments.
Historical Perspective - Deep industry knowledge prevents repeated strategic mistakes
Technical Validation - Specialist expertise supports feasibility and operational assessments
Competitive Intelligence - Comprehensive industry mapping informs strategic positioning
Cost Benchmarking - Access to global cost curves and capacity data for accurate market analysis
Implementation Support - Training resources and ongoing platform access ensure successful project execution
No other steel industry consultant combines hands-on advisory experience with such comprehensive intelligence resources. This unique integration enables superior strategic recommendations and implementation support for our clients worldwide.
Our advisory team comprises internationally recognised steel industry specialists with decades of combined experience across technical operations, strategic planning, and financial analysis. See our expertise demonstrated through professional video tutorials on steel market studies, price forecasting, and due diligence methodology; and other 'How To' tips.
Detailed professional profiles, including academic credentials, industry experience, and specialised competencies, are available on our steel industry experts page. Our consultants maintain active involvement in ongoing industry developments through research, publications, and advisory roles, ensuring clients benefit from current market intelligence and emerging technology insights.
Team members have held senior management and operational roles at major steel producers including Acindar Steel Company (Argentina), AHMSA (Mexico), ArcelorMittal Indiana Harbor (USA), Caribbean Ispat Ltd (Trinidad), Corus (UK), Hadeed Steel Company (Saudi Arabia), ThyssenKrupp Steel (USA), and United Gulf Steel (Saudi Arabia).
This operational expertise is complemented by advisory experience at premier steel industry consultancies: Beddows & Company, Commodities Research Unit, Hatch Associates, McLellan and Partners, and WS Atkins and Partners.
This combination of direct operational leadership and strategic consulting provides our clients with practical solutions grounded in real-world steel industry experience across multiple continents and steelmaking technologies.
