Commission funding of ECU 56 million for 1998 steel research projects
The European Commission has adopted a draft Decision concerning the selection of steel research and demonstration projects for 1998 under the European Coal and Steel Community guidelines. The draft Decision, which will be confirmed following assent from the Council, will fund some 69 projects with a total of ECU 56 million. Priority has been given to those projects which aim to: - Improve the productivity and quality of steel products; - Develop uses for steel according to customers' requirements through product-oriented research; - Adapt production conditions to environmental requirements through the use of clean technologies. Fifty-four research projects, to receive funding totalling ECU 38.6 million, have been selected from 174 proposals received. In the pilot/demonstration sector, 15 projects will be supported, selected from 36 proposals. A reserve of eleven projects has also been established, and these may be supported if additional funds become available during 1998.