This is the first of two volumes containing the proceedings of the 1996 international conference: 'The steel industry in the new millennium: innovation, strategy and markets'. This volume is divided into four main sections, the first two correspond to the Conference's Working Group II on 'Technological Innovation', while the third contains the papers delivered during Working Group III, on the 'The Market for Steel'. The last section contains the final speech by Father William Hogan, written very much from the perspective of demand, whereas the introductory paper by Marcus looks at the steel market, mainly from the technological angle. This volume brings together papers by leading academics, steel executives and consultants, and business leaders from all the main steel producing countries. It reviews the prospects of demand and the new technologies that are re-shaping production patterns across the world.