TORONTO, ONTARIO, March 15, 2024 (GLOBENEWSWIRE) – CHAR Technologies (“CHAR Tech” or the “Company”) (TSXV:YES), proudly welcomes ArcelorMittal's Irina Gorbounova, Vice President of M&A and Head of the XCarb® Innovation Fund, to its Board of Directors.
Irina brings a wealth of experience in sustainable development within the steel industry, serving as the Vice President of M&A and Head of the XCarb® Innovation Fund at ArcelorMittal in London. Throughout her 18-year tenure at ArcelorMittal, she has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to carbon-neutral steelmaking through strategic investments in decarbonization and innovation.
In addition to her role at ArcelorMittal, Irina holds board and advisory positions at forefront companies like Boston Metal, LanzaTech, H2Pro, Breakthrough Energy, Form Energy Inc - all innovators in clean energy and decarbonization technology. Her educational background, including executive education from prestigious institutions such as Harvard Business School, IMD Business School, London Business School, and London School of Treasury, alongside CPA certification, underscores her multidimensional expertise in finance, management, and sustainability. Irina’s leadership has positioned her as a significant figure in promoting sustainability within the industrial sector, making her an invaluable addition to CHAR Tech’s Board.
“We are thrilled to welcome Irina to the Board. Her leadership in sustainable steelmaking aligns perfectly with CHAR Tech's mission to drive decarbonization in industrial sectors,” says Andrew White, CEO of CHAR Technologies. “With her expertise, we anticipate significant strides in advancing our biocarbon solutions and solidifying our position as leaders in sustainable energy transition.”
Irina Gorbounova, who also spoke at CHAR Tech’s Annual General Meeting on April 4, 2024, echoes the importance of innovation and collaboration in driving decarbonization efforts, stating, “There are various trends shaping the world today such as climate change and artificial intelligence that require low-carbon infrastructure and steel. At ArcelorMittal, we are dedicated to developing steel sustainably, and have identified 'smart carbon' solutions as a promising pathway. This involves finding ways to reduce the use of fossil coal in existing operations. We are excited to be working with CHAR Tech for their biocarbon solutions, and I am especially honored to join CHAR Tech's Board of Directors at this pivotal juncture.”
In July 2023, CHAR Tech secured a CAD$6.6M strategic investment from ArcelorMittal, through their XCarb® Innovation Fund, underscoring their commitment to advancing sustainable solutions. The partnership also includes a Memorandum of Understanding with ArcelorMittal Dofasco for the purchase of biocarbon produced at CHAR Tech’s state-of-the-art facility in Thorold, Ontario, further cementing their position as innovators in renewable energy.