RFCS-2026-Steel-Big Tickets under the Steel and Metals Action Plan

Expected Impact

Project results are expected to contribute to the following impacts.

• progress towards the goals of the European Green Deal in line with the European Commission policy guidelines applicable to the steel industry for the full decarbonisation of the steel sector;
• progress towards the goals of the Clean Industrial Deal and the relevant areas of the steel and metals action plan;
• support innovation and competitiveness in the steel sector as a strategic element for strengthening the European industrial base and autonomy.

Expected Outcome

Project results are expected to contribute to all the following outcomes.

• quantify the CO2 reduction and other positive environmental effects achieved in the steel sector;
• make it technically and economically feasible for novel technologies and processes to produce products of at least the same quality as that achieved using current industrial processes, as demonstrated and validated on a suitable scale;
• demonstrate, where relevant, positive health and safety effects of the technology and/or the approach pursued;
• outline a scalable deployment plan for the technology, supported by a viable business case;
• disseminate results widely and contribute to the development of skills and the creation/conversion of jobs.

Objective

Proposals should address one of the following objectives:

1. New, sustainable and low-carbon steelmaking and finishing processes (Article 8)

Proposals should address objectives listed in Article 8 of Council Decision (EU) 2008/376/EC.

1. Advanced steel grades and applications (Article 9)

Proposals should address objectives listed under Article 9 of Council Decision (EU) 2008/376/EC.

If the objectives of a proposal focus on recycling, it should be submitted under the topic RFCS-2026-Steel-Big Tickets under the Clean Industrial Deal.

Scope

• Applicants may submit proposals for either pilot or demonstration projects (see Articles 15 and 16 of Council Decision (EU) 2008/376/EC).
• Proposals must address the application of innovative technologies related to at least one of the objectives.
• Projects are expected to achieve TRL 7-8 by completion.
• Proposals must be consistent with the general and specific objectives listed in the memorandum of understanding for the European Partnership on Clean Steel launched under Horizon Europe.
• Proposals must include an exploitation strategy outlining the possible industrial integration of the outcomes of the project (including the pilot/demonstrators) and a preliminary assessment of their economic viability.
• Targeted improvements (relative to existing installations or, for new projects, the relevant ETS benchmark) must be clearly quantified and demonstrated using energy system and material balance assessments (including emissions), which must be clearly defined by the applicants.