Our K1-MET team, including Christine Gruber, Klemens Winkler, and Florian Egger, gathered to set the stage for this ambitious initiative.

DiGreeS aims to leverage digitalisation to drive the decarbonisation of steelmaking processes, striving to achieve an environmental footprint as close to zero as possible. The project will develop a user-friendly digital platform for networked production, utilizing novel and soft sensors, as well as advanced models. This platform will be demonstrated through three distinct use cases, each targeting different segments of the steel value chain.

Key components of DiGreeS include the development of comprehensive digital twins to support efficient feedstock verification, real-time control of crude steel production with electric arc furnaces and to increase the process yield while improving the quality of intermediate and final steel products. By fully exploiting the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies, we aim to optimize process data usage and model various scenarios specific to each use case.

Our goal is to enhance product quality, improve energy efficiency, and increase the circularity of the steel production process, ultimately reducing CO₂ emissions.

The positive attitude from all participants and entities at the meeting has set a strong foundation for implementing real solutions in steelmaking. We extend our gratitude to Fraunhofer IZFP and especially Madalina Rabung for their professional preparation and hosting of the meeting.