This call supports the fast and reliable transition to carbon-neutral iron and steel production through a system-level approach that addresses input materials, processes, and output quality. Projects should focus on validating low-CO₂ technologies, managing variable raw material quality, improving product performance, and ensuring cost-effective, energy-efficient production. Proposals must involve industry-academia collaboration, include a business case, consider regional and cross-sector impacts, and contribute to innovation through multidisciplinary research, including digital tools, sensors, hydrogen production, and life-cycle analysis.

Projects are expected to contribute to at least three of the following outcomes:

• Validate innovative carbon-neutral iron and steel making solutions within a system-level approach and in consideration of diverse materials with varying quality (raw input materials and reductants mix) and energy needs. Address high-risk factors at macroscopic and microscopic level through detailed characterisation of the physical and chemical interactions that could compromise the optimal functioning of the processes;
• Solve system-level issues within at least two low-CO2 production routes;
• Define solutions and provide concepts to address possible modifications or material substitutions in innovative installations for low CO2 iron and steel production;
• Improve low-CO2 steel production reliability to target high-quality products: i) clarify the effect of material and process variables, and overall system aspects; ii) clarify the influence of changing crude steel quality on the properties of the produced steel, with the purpose to achieve quality and extended lifespan of products; iii) clarify the impact of diverse input materials with varying quality on the residue characteristics and on its potential valorisation and use;
• Provide an impact analysis covering the materials and energy balance of identified solutions, viability and byproducts.