LONDON, May 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Steel Dynamics, Inc. (SDI), one of the United States' largest steel producers won the prestigious Metals Company of the Year award at the fourth annual Platts Global Metals Awards, which recognize exemplary performance in fifteen categories across the steel, metals and mining complex.

SDI was one of 15 honorees from four continents heralded at the black-tie gala in central London. The event, hosted by S&P Global Platts, the leading independent provider of information and benchmark prices for the commodities and energy markets, was emceed by CNBC's Karen Tso and attended by nearly 200 industry executives.

"We congratulate Steel Dynamics, Inc., under the leadership of CEO Mark Millet, for this impressive win," said Imogen Dillon Hatcher, president of S&P Global Platts. "In these highly volatile and challenging times, each of this year's winners and finalists deserves praise for their important contributions to the metals sector. It's worth noting that companies in this year's competition share a focus on innovation, a relentless search for profitable market opportunities and improved competitiveness."

Recognized for its swiftly integrated 2014 acquisition of mini-mill Severstal Columbus and a focus on innovative products and production methods that boosted financial performance, SDI secured the 2016 Metals Company of the Year title. In reaching its decision, the Platts Global Metals Awards' independent judging panel lauded the company's "foresight and boldness" in achieving higher returns than its peers despite decreased average selling prices.

CEO of the Year, one of the program's most coveted awards, went to Marsha Serlin, chief executive officer of United Scrap Metal, Inc., the U.S.-based provider of recycling solutions. Judges were impressed by Serlin's track record of consistent growth and strong performance despite a challenging environment in the global recycling industry and markets.

Lou Schorsch, former CEO for ArcelorMittal Americas, secured this year's Lifetime Achievement Award, with judges impressed by his strategic vision, notably his successful orchestration of a diverse group of assets in the aftermath of the Arcelor/Mittal merger. Schorsch began his career as a millwright with U.S. Steel, lead the metals practice at McKinsey and retired as CEO of ArcelorMittal Americas.

The winner of the Rising Star Award, which recognizes vision, growth and ambition in a newer company, went to Aqua Metals. The company was established in 2013 with a goal of reducing the inefficiency, costs and toxic waste associated with conventional smelter-based recycling for lead-acid batteries. In 2015, Aqua Metals raised $36.2 million in an independent public offering as it planned to open its first clean battery recycling commercial facility AquaRefinery in 2016.

For full details of the 2016 winners of the Platts Global Metals Awards and the judges' rationale, visit S&P Global Platts' Insight Magazine and this link. Following are the 2016 Platts Global Metals Awards winners:

Metals Company of the Year
Steel Dynamics, Inc.

Breakthrough Innovation of the Year
NanoSteel & AK Steel Corporation

CEO of the Year
Marsha Serlin, United Scrap Metal, Inc.

Corporate Social Responsibility Award
Abralatas

Deal of the Year
Alcoa

Industry Leadership Award - Aluminum
UC Rusal

Industry Leadership Award - Base Metals
Hindustan Copper Limited

Industry Leadership Award - Raw Materials & Mining
Cliffs Natural Resources Inc.

Industry Leadership Award - Scrap & Recycling
Upstate Shredding - Weitsman Recycling

Industry Leadership Award - Steel
NLMK Group

Lifetime Achievement Award
Lou Schorsch, ArcelorMittal

Metals User of the Year
Maverick Enterprises, Inc.

Physical Metals Service Provider of the Year
MidWest Materials, Inc.

Financial Metals Service Provider of the Year
LME Clear

Rising Star Award
Aqua Metals

For additional information, as well as the full list of finalists from which the winners were selected, see the Platts Global Metals Awards website (http://gma.platts.com/).

For information on sponsors and other supporters of the 2016 Platts Global Metals Awards visit: http://gma.platts.com/AboutSponsor.

Nominations for next year's Platts Global Metals Awards will be accepted starting December 2016.

S&P Global Platts will hold its sister awards gala, the 18(th) annual Platts Global Energy Awards, on December 8, 2016, in New York City at Cipriani - Wall Street.

About S&P Global Platts
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S&P Global Platts is a division of S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI), which provides essential intelligence for individuals, companies and governments to make decisions with confidence. For more information, visit www.platts.com.

Contacts
Americas: Kathleen Tanzy, + 1 917 331 4607, kathleen.tanzy@spglobal.com

SOURCE S&P Global Platts

SOURCE: S&P Global Platts