ArcelorMittal has established a new sustainability award to honour its former head of R&D for sustainability, Jean-Sébastien Thomas, who passed away in December 2014. The Jean-Sébastien Thomas Prize will reward the best research paper on sustainable development presented at the annual Society and Materials (SAM) conference, which brings together material producers, scientists and other parties investigating the connection between society and materials. An eminent member of the sustainable development community, Jean-Sébastien Thomas was well-known to both his colleagues and industry peers, and his sudden death was a shock to both.

Jean-Sébastien was known for leading a group of sustainable development experts at the World Steel Association, which brings together of all the world's leading steelmakers. He was also a member of numerous working groups on the subject of sustainable development – from the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), to the European Steel Technology Platform (ESTEP). 

It is thanks to his active participation that the annual SAM conferences were developed. The conferences are a unique forum for dialogue on sustainable development, attracting scientists and engineers from diverse backgrounds including social sciences, economics, and materials, to name a few.

The Jean-Sébastien Thomas Prize will be awarded for the first time at the conference’s 10th edition in Rome this May. A judging panel will name the most innovative paper presented during the conference and will award prize money of €2,000 during the conference gala dinner.

ArcelorMittal, Luxembourg