Changes in the steel chain in Industry 4.0. Some results of survey on the Polish steel market

The paper discusses the changes occurring in the steel industry and related markets as they move towards Industry 4.0. With significant investments in new technologies, steel mills are creating a smart environment for cooperation between producers, distributors, and consumers of steel products. The influence of Industry 4.0 within mills is being transferred to other participants in the steel product chains, and vice versa. The research aimed to determine the impact of Industry 4.0 technologies on the steel product chains in the Polish steel market. The research was conducted in Poland. The obtained database comprised 208 respondents (company executives), including steel mills and steel product manufacturers. Technologies (the pillars of Industry 4.0) are grouped into five technological fields: automation and robotics; warehouse automation; Computer systems, systems integration, mobile technologies, Big Data and IIoT, Blockchain and cybersecurity. Analysis was realized in the three respondent segments representing the steel chain in Poland [RSs]: Producer [P], Distributor [D], and Consumer [C]. The results of the research can help companies improve their steel product chains. The study takes a value chain approach, considering steel production, distribution of steel products, and services for orders and consumers of steel and steel products.