Description

The specific potential of the TransZeroWaste project is to develop new recycling technologies for iron-containing by-products, low­quality ores and those of new green steel production routes. These scrap-equivalent materials have a volume of up to 9 Mt/yin Europe and are currently recycled via CO2 intensive BF-BOF route with sinter plants which provide separation of disturbing impurities. Since green steel process routes do not facilitate recycling or ensure adequate impurity separation, the following alternative technologies are developed to higher TRL in TransZeroWaste to ensure sufficient supply of raw materials in iron and steel production, even in the case of increasing demands:

   –   Hydrometallurgy de-oiling by-modified magnet separator and cleaning agent recovery

   –   Low CO₂ cold briquetting and pelletising

   –   Hot microwave pelletising with reduction potential

So far, knowledge of requirements for the reuse of these materials in the DR, EAF and downstream processes, as well as of their mutual influencing factors is lacking or still at low TRL. TransZeroWaste further develops these technologies, including pilot plants at industrial partners sites. Those technologies will be supported by the development of a decision support platform providing circularity, environmental and economic indicators for higher sustainability performances.

Objectives