Sustainability in Steel
SUSTAIN Conference 2024
The 2024 SUSTAIN Conference, held at Swansea University's Bay Campus in July, brought together over 110 representatives from academia, industry, NGOs, and supply chain partners to explore the latest innovations in the UK steel sector. This three-day event marked the largest in-person gathering hosted by the Hub to date, aimed at raising awareness of ongoing research and fostering collaboration across the industry.
Technical sessions covered The Carbon Cycle, Thermal Efficiency, The Iron Cycle, Sustainable Product Metallurgy, Sensor Technologies and Digitalisation. These were complemented by sessions on Research Culture and Skills for 21st Century Steelmaking, as well as a Sandpit workshop for SUSTAIN’s current Feasibility Study Call.
The full agenda is available further down this page. The Conference booklet, detailing chair and speaker biographies, can be downloaded using the button below.
Presentation slides and recordings from this event will be uploaded at the bottom of this page once available, and where we have permission to share them.
Conference Agenda
Presentation Slides
Presentation slides are available here, where we have permission to share them.
The Carbon Cycle
Thermal Efficiency
The Iron Cycle
The Role of Culture in Research Environments
Anjana Choudhuri (Swansea University) - Why is Ethics and Integrity Important in Research?
Dr Jennifer Thompson (Swansea University) - 50% For the Future Project
Sustainable Product Metallurgy
Skills for 21st Century Steelmaking
Sensor Technologies
Digitalisation in Steelmaking
Session Recordings
Session recordings will be available below after 09:00 on Monday 7th October, where we have permission to share them.
The Carbon Cycle
There are many stages during steelmaking process where carbon is added, use, transformed and released. Through better understanding of these processes, steps can be taken to reduce the carbon footprint of the steel industry on the road to net zero. This session focussed on where carbon is found in steelmaking processes and the potential for capture and conversion of emitted carbon into useful products.
The Iron Cycle
Understanding the processes by which iron is extracted, converted, used and recycled are key as steelmaking moves towards a more circular consumption model. As the UK moves towards Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) steelmaking, understanding the quality, composition and properties of domestically available scrap steel is of increasing importance.
Sustainable Product Metallurgy
Metallurgy is a core aspect of steelmaking, regardless of production method. Steel is a key material for a sustainable future, and ensuring specifications are correct for intended use is critical. New processes and new products fit for circularity must be developed, and ensuring these are robust is crucial to continue to support decarbonisation across all sectors.
Sensor Technologies
The development and integration of sensor technologies into modern steelmaking processes provide critical data to evaluate product quality, process optimisation and to support data driven process models. These technologies can enable real-time monitoring of various parameters throughout the steelmaking process to increase quality and efficiency.
Thermal Efficiency
Heat is an unavoidable by-product of steelmaking, that is currently underutilised. Whilst increasing thermal efficiency of existing equipment is a key factor, heat will always be released during steelmaking. Ongoing research is investigating the feasibility of capture and conversion of waste heat for commercial and domestic use.
The Role of Culture in Research Environments
The session considered key factors that influence research environments in academia and industry, to foster a positive workplace for everyone.
Skills for 21st Century Steelmaking
Steelmaking in the 21st Century requires a diverse skill set, from traditional metallurgy and digital know-how, through to safety awareness and mental health first aid. This session will look at different approaches to training, as well as some of the opportunities and barriers to access.
Digitalisation in Steelmaking
The integration of digital technologies into the steelmaking processes can be used to help increase efficiency, quality and sustainability of the industry. Such technologies can include utilising artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain and digital twins, to optimise processes and assist decision making.