Computer simulation and virtual reality ( VR) visualization have evolved to become critical emerging technologies in creating immersive virtual environments for numerous fields.The ability to allow people to " go inside" these virtual environments of real world problems provides a unique,and effective tool for understanding complex physical processes,and thus to innovate and to make significant improvements in a time and cost efficient way.These technologies empower people to work collaboratively and intuitively,and enable engineers,operators,and managers to make more efficient and effective decisions for process/product design,troubleshooting and optimizations.They are also very effective in workforce training.Ironmaking and steelmaking involve capital and energy intensive processes.To solve the steel industry s challenges and problems,advanced computer simulation and visualization technologies can play a critical role.The Center for Innovation through Visualization and Simulation ( CIVS) at Purdue University Calumet in collaboration with the steel industry in North American has developed methodologies and software packages for using these technologies and applied them to many processes in ironmaking and steelmaking such as blast furnace,ladle,preheating furnace,reheating furnace,and sinter plant.The results have been used and highly recognized for addressing issues and challenges relating to energy,environment,education,productivity,quality,safety,and training.More than MYM30 million savings and cost avoidance have been documented by steel companies.Specific examples will be presented in this paper.