Introduction
 
Iron & Steel Industry is growing exponentially, particularly in Asia, for the past few years. To keep pace, steel makers across the globe are adopting measures like production capacities enhancement, introduction of newer technologies and use of effective management functions. Research and Development Centre for Iron & Steel (RDCIS) is located in the state of Jharkhand which is going to be the main centre of activity in the field of steel production in India. With it's vast prime iron ore reserve, this state now produces about 10 MT of steel and has already signed MoU for establishment of about 130 MT of steel production with reputed steel producers of the world. It is expected that in next 2/3 years all major steel producers will be concentrating their efforts to build steel plants here employing latest Automation & Process Control technologies.

The modelling and simulation techniques for process control are of great demand today because of the potential it promises in development of new products and visualization of high speed complex steel making processes.

The continuous research & development in the above areas has necessitated exchange of technical information & experiences with implementation issues among the steel and automation fraternity as also deliberation on challenges and opportunities that exist today.

Keeping the above in view, an International Conference AITISM’07 was held during February 26-28, 2007. The conference witnessed an overwhelming participation from India and Overseas by Steel Producers, Technologists, Academicians and Technology Vendors. In this series, a second conference on “Automation & Information Technology in Iron & Steel Making Processes- Modelling and Simulation for Process Control (AITISM’09)” is being held by Computer Society of India (CSI), Ranchi Chapter, in association with R&D Centre for Iron & Steel (RDCIS) and Centre for Engineering & Technology (CET), Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), Ranchi and MECON Limited, Ranchi during December 09-11, 2009. IEEE India Council & IEEE Kharagpur Section and ISA Asia-Pacific are the Technical Cosponsors; MPT International and Steel Times International are the Media Partners for the conference, AITISM’09.