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ECOFER: Next Generation Slag and Mineral Processing Technology

Project description

Slag reuse puts the steel industry on the path to decarbonisation

The steel industry is one of the most energy-intensive, and it is among the largest contributors to carbon emissions. Slag is the primary byproduct of steelmaking that can be used for developing high-quality construction materials. In an effort to reuse steel slag, the EU-funded ECOFER project is supporting the Estonia-based cleantech company of the same name in developing next-generation slag-processing technology that should increase the value of slag more than 20 times. Researchers are developing unprecedented technology that separates metal oxides and heavy metals from the slag. Project implications are major since each tonne of repurposed slag could help save one tonne of CO2 emissions, reduce the need for virgin material and provide technology for zero-waste steelmaking.

Objective

Steelmaking is one of the most important and energy intensive industries globally. Until now the repurposing of steelmaking slag, the main production by-product, has remained low-value, incomplete and has an enormous environmental impact.
Ecofer, an Estonian cleantech company, has developed next generation slag processing technology, which processes the steelmaking slag completely and increases the value slag over 20 times.
This is achieved by recovering 99% of Fe-metal, and providing first technology to separating metal oxides and heavy metals from the slag. The technology is based on proprietary and cutting-edge screening, crushing, milling, fractioning and magnetic separation processes.
The technology will generate new growth and market opportunities for the steelmaking industry, as the low-value of steelmaking slag has been a major industry pain-point for decades. Moreover, Ecofer technology directly supports the lowering CO2 emissions – each ton of repurposed steelmaking slag saves one in ton of CO2 emission, reduces the need for virgin material and provides technology for zero-waste steelmaking.
Ecofer already signed piloting and commercial pre-agreements with large-scale steel-mills from Europe and Middle-East.
During the feasibility study Ecofer will:
• Update the route-to-market strategy and business plan;
• Conduct a freedom-to-operate study;
• Conduct pilot line manufacturability study.
As a result of the Phase-1 study Ecofer is ready for entering final development and market uptake phase, as well fully prepared for SMEI Phase-2.

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) H2020-EIC-SMEInst-2018-2020

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Coordinator

ECOFER TECHNOLOGIES OU
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 50 000,00
Address
LOOTSA 6-217
11415 TALLIN
Estonia

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SME

The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.

Yes
Region
Eesti Eesti Põhja-Eesti
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Links
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 71 429,00
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