Aperam, a global manufacturer of stainless, electrical, and specialty steels, has officially appointed Sud Sivaji as its Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2026. This leadership transition completes a succession plan initiated in September 2025 following the retirement of former CEO Tim di Maulo. Sivaji, who previously served as the company's Chief Financial Officer, brings 25 years of experience in engineering, supply chain management, and finance across the steel, stainless, and aerospace sectors.
The appointment signals Aperam's intensified focus on its circular economy ambitions. In his statement, Sivaji emphasized the company's goal to establish itself as "the leading value creator in the circular economy of infinite, world-changing materials." This vision extends beyond traditional steel production to encompass an integrated value chain that includes stainless and electrical steel, aerospace alloys, recycling, charcoal production, and forestry. The company's strategy positions these materials as critical to powering the planet's future, highlighting the growing importance of sustainable industrial practices.
Aperam's operational structure, detailed on their website, supports this integrated approach. The company operates with four primary segments: Stainless & Electrical Steel, Services & Solutions, Alloys & Specialties, and Recycling & Renewables. With a production capacity of 2.5 million tonnes of flat stainless and electrical steel in Brazil and Europe, and a presence in key markets including France, China, India, and the United States, Aperam's scale allows it to influence global supply chains. Its unique capability to produce low-carbon footprint steel from biomass and recycled scrap, through subsidiaries like BioEnergia and Aperam Recycling | ELG, underscores its commitment to sustainability.
The leadership change comes at a time when industries worldwide are facing increasing pressure to adopt environmentally responsible practices. Aperam's ResponsibleSteel™ certification, which validates high standards of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance, positions the company to meet evolving regulatory and consumer demands. Sivaji's background in finance and operations is expected to drive this strategy forward, leveraging the company's 13,000 employees and integrated network of sixteen production facilities across six countries.
For stakeholders, including customers in over 40 countries, Sivaji's leadership promises a focus on value creation, partnership, and community responsibility. The broader Leadership Team, in place since October 2025, is now fully operational, enabling Aperam to execute its long-term strategy. This transition matters because it reflects a broader industrial shift toward circular economies, where resource efficiency and sustainability are becoming competitive advantages. As global demand for sustainable materials grows, Aperam's direction under Sivaji could influence industry standards, supply chain resilience, and environmental outcomes, making it a case study in how traditional industries adapt to a greener future.
