Call for proposals for 'very low CO2 steel processes' in the NMP priority thematic area (5)

Brussels, 16 Dec 2003

The European Commission has published a call for proposals in the area of 'very low CO2 steel processes' under the Sixth Framework Programme's 'Nanotechnologies and nano-sciences, knowledge-based multifunctional materials and new production processes and devices' (NMP) activity. This is one of the areas covered by the 'Integrating and strengthening the European Research Area' specific programme.

The areas covered by this call are:

- Very low CO2 and greenhouse gas steel production - target 2020 (area 3.4.5.1 of the work programme).

Steel has played a key role in the historical development of Europe and in the rise of the region's standard of living, and will continue to do so. The impact on the environment of the steel sector is important due to its high level of resource consumption and energy requirements. The global warming challenge will put especially strong pressure on the steel industry to decrease greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions drastically. This is a tough requirement, as the integrated steel production route generates about two tons of CO2 per ton of steel. This is already the result of a large effort in reducing the energy needs of steel mills: specific energy consumption has thus gone down by 60 per cent in the last 40 years, while the global emissions of CO2 decreased by 50 per cent during the same period. To go beyond these major achievements, and decrease emissions by a significant factor in line with the post Kyoto probable requirements for the future, the steel industry needs to develop new process paradigms based on breakthrough technologies.

The expected Integrated Project (IP) has to present high industrial relevance and to be focused on radical development. The objective is thus to develop radically new technologies for the next generation of iron and steel making processes, which will take into account society's long term sustainability needs, while improving the current high quality of products. Therefore a wide range of technologies with a high potential in reducing CO2 and GHG emissions have to be examined. Some examples are: carbon lean technologies combined with CO2 capture and sequestration, innovative use of natural gas and hydrogen, biomass or electricity.

In specifying the instruments to be used in these areas, the call requests the use of Integrated Projects. Proposers are advised to consult the full call text at the address below in order to find out the particular instruments requested for each area.

The total indicative budget for this call is 25 million euro. To see the call text, please visit: http://fp6.cordis.lu/nmp/call_details.cf m?CALL_ID=110 Remarks: The deadline for submitting proposal documents is 17 March 2004.

Before contacting the Commission, proposers are strongly advised to consult the original call text in the Official Journal of the European Union at the reference below.

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