ultralights by voestalpine
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The EU CiSMA (circular steel for mass market applications) project is pursuing an ambitious goal: In the future, high-quality steel strip, such as that used in the automotive industry, will be manufactured entirely from recycled scrap in electric arc furnaces (EAFs). voestalpine Stahl GmbH is a key partner in this pioneering project.
European steel production is striving for climate neutrality by 2050. A critical factor in this transition is switching steel production to electric arc furnaces. By utilizing up to 100% scrap, this shift is expected to reduce emissions by over 75%. voestalpine is a frontrunner here as well: As early as 2027, two EAFs will go into operation at the voestalpine sites in Linz and Donawitz.
European steel production is striving for climate neutrality by 2050. A critical factor in this transition is switching steel production to electric arc furnaces. By utilizing up to 100% scrap, this shift is expected to reduce emissions by over 75%. voestalpine is a frontrunner here as well: As early as 2027, two EAFs will go into operation at the voestalpine sites in Linz and Donawitz.
A major hurdle for a sustainable and economically successful future is determining how to utilize heterogeneous, post-consumer scrap qualities for the production of high-performance steels. This primarily involves dealing with accompanying elements (“tramp elements”) such as copper and other impurities, which occur in higher and highly fluctuating concentrations in post-consumer scrap.
The project, which will run until 2028, addresses the problem of so-called “tramp elements” in steel scrap. The focus is on developing new scrap sorting methods that can be used to specifically reduce unwanted accompanying elements. Based on this, models are being developed that describe the influence of remaining tramp elements on the properties of steels and make their effects predictable. In addition, new, simple, and fast test methods for checking steel properties are being developed. Based on these findings, scrap-based EAF steels will ultimately be produced and tested in industrial parts manufacturing in two pilot projects—in the automotive industry at Volvo Cars and in the household appliance industry at Electrolux Professional.
The CiSMA project aims to drive the use of 100% recycled, EAF-produced steels for mass-market applications, generating multi-dimensional benefits:
CiSMA brings together a Europe-wide consortium of over 10 industrial companies, research institutions, and universities. voestalpine Stahl GmbH is a central industrial partner, contributing its expertise in sustainable steelmaking, innovative steel materials and manufacturing. Its contribution includes the following:
