Saarstahl Accelerates Digitalization in Steel Production

New methods of steel production are on the research agenda of Saarstahl AG. Under the direction of the applied research institute Fraunhofer IZFP, the steel manufacturer is working with a total of 11 European partners from research and industry to develop a user-friendly digital platform for networked and optimized steel production.

Saarstahl AG is part of the EU-funded DiGreeS project (Demonstration of Digital Twins for a green steel value chain), which was launched in November 2024. The aim of the project is to promote the transition to environmentally friendly and low-carbon steel production in Europe and to implement innovative new methods of steel production. A user-friendly digital platform for networked and optimized steel production is being developed for this with 11 other European partners from research and industry under the leadership of the Fraunhofer Institute for Nondestructive Testing IZFP.
The research project uses innovative technologies such as digital twins, AI-based models and advanced sensor technologies to optimize the entire steel production value chain – from raw material processing and steel production to steel finishing and recycling. This is aimed at making steel production more energy-efficient in the medium term while also reducing CO2 emissions in the European steel industry by up to 6 million tons per year and saving up to EUR 800 million in costs annually. DiGreeS is funded by the European Union with around EUR 5 million and will run for 3.5 years.
As part of the project, Saarstahl AG is working closely with its French subsidiary Saarstahl Ascoval to digitalize and optimize crude steel production in the electric arc furnace (EAF) so that the findings can also be used for the plants built in the future as part of Power4Steel. An innovative system is being developed that uses real-time measurements and dynamic digital models to optimize the efficiency of the electric steel furnace. “We want to use modern sensors and digital models to improve energy efficiency throughout the entire production process and significantly reduce the use of raw materials and energy. The expertise of our colleagues at Saarstahl Ascoval, who are already successfully operating a 90-ton EAF, is particularly valuable here,” said Dr. Barbara Ebel-Wolf, Head of Research & Development at Saarstahl.
Source: Saarstahl