EURICE Joins MOWSES Project Set to Revolutionise Green Steel for Europe's Sustainable Future.
Pioneering research, led by key partners in the Saarland, will make welded scrap-based steel safe for application in sustainable infrastructure.
The EU-funded MOWSES (Multi-faceted Assessment and Optimization of Welded Structural Green Steel Plates for Use in European Sustainable Infrastructure) project started in October with a successful kick-off meeting in Gent, laying the grounds for enhancing the safe application of green steel in critical European infrastructure. Focusing on welded joints of medium to ultra-high strength steels, MOWSES will enable the safe use of increased amounts of scrap in the steel production, thereby significantly reducing its carbon footprint. MOWSES is funded by the European Union under its Twin green and digital transition 2024 programme with over EUR 4.5 million and will run for 4 years.
MOWSES brings together a highly skilled consortium of industrial and academic partners, including 3 from the Saarland, a region with a proud legacy in steel production. MOWSES is another building block in the comprehensive transformation process of steel production in Saarland. Dillinger Hüttenwerke and EURICE are also involved in the 'Power4Steel' project, Europe's largest investment project for the decarbonisation of the steel production, with the aim of producing green steel with the help of hydrogen from 2027 onwards and subsequently saving around 4 million tonnes of CO2 per year.
Recognising the significance of the sector for the regional economy, the Saarland-based partners, Dillinger Hüttenwerke and University of Saarland, contribute complimenting industry expertise and innovative research capabilities to the project, which is coordinated by Belgium’s OCAS NV, a research joint venture of ArcelorMittal and the Flemish region.
"EURICE is thrilled to be a part of MOWSES, supporting its mission to make steel production sustainable and safe," says Heiko Poth, Research and Innovation Manager at EURICE. "As a team deeply rooted in the Saarland, we’re especially proud to contribute to a project that not only supports regional steel production but also paves the way for greener, stronger infrastructure across Europe. Our role in the project, focussing on its successful implementation and the valorisation of its results, aligns with our commitment to translate scientific research into technological innovation that creates lasting societal impact."
MOWSES not only aligns with Europe’s goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050 but also strengthens the EU’s position in the global green steel industry, fostering innovation and sustainability in critical infrastructure projects.
Background
Traditional steelmaking by blast furnace – basic oxygen furnace – is heavily energy-intensive compared to recycled steel made via Electric Arc Furnace. Future clean steels will increasingly rely on scrap to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 50%, as outlined by the Clean Steel Partnership. However, using more scrap introduces impurities like copper, nickel, and molybdenum, which can accumulate in recycled steel. These elements may reduce its toughness, especially in the heat-affected zones (HAZ) of welded joints, compromising the integrity of infrastructure applications.
In response to these challenges, MOWSES is pioneering research into modified alloying concepts to enable the safe use of green steel, even when it contains higher levels of residual elements from recycled scrap. The project will define the acceptable levels of residual elements for welded joints, and particularly their HAZ, to ensure the properties and durability of these critical components. The project is focused on infrastructure needs, particularly in the energy sector, where wind turbines and other structures depend heavily on welded steel plates.
MOWSES will employ and develop advanced analytical methods, such as machine learning, thermodynamic simulations, and finite element modelling (FEM) of microstructural behaviour, to predict how residual elements affect the steel's performance after welding. The goal is to create steel grades with improved weldability, toughness, and strength, even when sourced from lower-quality scrap. Advanced microstructure and mechanical characterisation will also be key for this development, ensuring the steel can meet thorough safety and performance standards.
