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Joint Nordic steel research, the technical areas

The Swedish steel industry is a world leader within a number of highly specialised niches. Indeed, the bedrock of the industry’s export achievements has been a consistent and long-term investment in steel with a high technological input.

In Sweden around SEK 1 billion a year is invested in steel research. The major part of this research is carried out within the different steel companies. The joint Nordic research – carried out within Jernkontoret’s techical areas – accounts for about 10–15% of this total.

Background

The joint Nordic steel research is unique of its kind in a number of respects and has a long  tradition. As far back as 1751 organised forms of technical collaboration were initiated within the Swedish iron and steel industry. The present operating structure, where the research is divided into different technical areas, was founded in 1926 and as of 1969 it covers operations in the Nordic region.

Jernkontoret’s areas of technology

Research activities are carried on within 14 technical areas (TO). These comprehend steel production from raw material to finished steel materials as well as processing stages such as rolling, extrusion and wire drawing. There are also technical areas relating to the material’s properties, heating technology, analytical chemistry, non-destructive testing, powder metallurgy as well as residual products. The department for research and training leads this operation.

This research is primarily need-based and geared to being rapidly implemented within the companies. Basic research is also carried out in parallel.

Joint research - an effective network

This joint research comprehends a large and effective network. Practically all Nordic steel plants participate in this research. Important suppliers to - and customers of - the steel industry also participate. The present network comprises around 900 active persons. This research network is an effective instrument for transmitting results for subsequent, practical application within the companies.

The research is carried out at participating companies, at research institutes, e.g. Swerea Mefos and Swerea Kimab, and at institutes of technology or universities, e.g. Royal Institute of Technology [KTH], Dalarna University and Luleå University of Technology [LTU].
 
 

Scope and funding of research

Participating companies contribute with both money and so-called in-kind contributions. These in-kind inputs consist of in-house industry trials and investment of work time. Industry trials constitute a very important part of the research collaboration between companies, research institutes, institutes of technology and universities.
 
During 2010, research activities had a turnover of around SEK 163 million of which more than half comprised the companies’ in-kind investments. The remainder mainly comprised state research grants – primarily from the Swedish Energy Agency, Mistra and VINNOVA – but also financial investments from participating companies and from Jernkontoret.

The financing currently takes place through long-term working relationships and contacts, mainly with sources of Swedish state funding. At the present time a number of major research programmes are being undertaken:

• Steel Research Programme, part-financed by VINNOVA
• Energy Research Programme, part-financed by the Swedish Energy Agency
• Steel Ecocycle Programme, part-financed by Mistra