The Steel Eco-Cycle
The Steel Eco-Cycle is an environmental research programme that comprehends the entire life cycle of steel. The research project is expected to lead to:
- more economical and energy-efficient production of steel
- more eco-intelligent use of steel in structures
- greater ease in utilisation of steel scrap and residual products
A film about the Steel Eco-Cycle (8 minutes)
Vision: A closed-loop production
and use of steel in society
The Steel Eco-Cycle contributes to the realisation of the vision of “A closed-loop production and use of steel in society”. The research offers new insights into how we can intensify the exchange of iron and alloying materials and how these metals can be retained within the steel eco-cycle.
The core of the programme consists of technically strategic research inputs that serve to strengthen the steel eco-cycle. The results will be seen in terms of a streamlined eco-cycle for steel with lower energy use, reduced carbon dioxide emissions and more economical use of nature’s resources.
The Steel Eco-Cycle links together – in a unique manner – traditional research projects within process and product development with new tools and methods for environmental impact assessments. Methods that in future can be used for environmental evaluation of the steel eco-cycle so far as the development of products and processes is concerned.
In the Steel Eco-Cycle programme the steel industry collaborates with the mining industry as well as the recycling and manufacturing sectors. For the implementation of the programme those research bodies most vital to the steel industry – based at leading centres of higher education – have been engaged. This interaction offers all participants the possibility of nurturing cutting edge competence in the environmental area and applying the knowledge in the development of new processes and steel products.
The programme’s first phase (2004–2008) was adjudged most positively by an international evaluation group. The second phase started in 2009 and runs for a period of four years.
Financing
The programme is financed jointly by Mistra (Foundation for Strategic Environmental Research) and the mining, steel, engineering and recycling industries in Sweden with total funding of SEK 184 million (SEK 97 and SEK 87 million).
