On April 10, 2025, the Hephaestus project convened its General Assembly (GA), marking another key milestone in the journey toward more sustainable steel production in Europe. While the event was originally planned to take place in Athens, Greece, unexpected transportation strikes required a transition to an online format.
Funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe programme, Hephaestus is a 4.5-year research and innovation initiative launched on June 1, 2022. The project’s goal is to eliminate the landfilling of Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) and Argonoxygen decarburization (AOD) dust, a hazardous steelmaking by-product by developing integrated processes that enable the recovery of valuable materials such as zinc, iron, and lead, and the production of useful materials like methanol and mineral wool.
Now approaching its third year, Hephaestus brings together leading organizations from Greece, Italy, and Belgium. The General Assembly provided an important opportunity for partners to present progress updates, align on next steps, and reflect on shared goals for sustainability, innovation, and industrial transformation.
Project Highlights and Progress
WP1 – Materials, Market & Roadmap (RINA Consulting – Centro Sviluppo Materiali)
This work package is now successfully completed. It provided a comprehensive overview of market conditions and material flows, laying the groundwork for strategic planning and technical development.
WP2 – EU Sites & Waste Assessment (Led by AdMiRIS)
Fourteen secondary raw materials have been identified and selected for recovery and reuse, based on in-depth analysis of European waste streams.
WP3 – Process Modelling (National Technical University of Athens)
Ongoing experimental work, including pyrometallurgical lab trials and pilot-scale Electric Arc Furnace operations, is informing the optimization of core processing technologies.
WP4 – Integration & Forecasting (AIT Europa Engineering)
Now concluded, this work package ensured smooth integration of technical components and the development of predictive models to assess long-term performance and risk.
WP5 – Pilot & Demo Plants (RINA, NTUA, KU Leuven, Mytilineos, and Engitec Technologies SpA)
Two pilot plants are currently operational — one in Greece and one in Italy. These facilities are successfully processing EAF and AOD (Argon Oxygen Decarburization) dust to recover metals and produce high-value mineral wool.
WP6 – Sustainability (AdMiRIS and RINA Consulting)
Comprehensive environmental, economic, and social assessments have been completed. These include detailed metrics for carbon emissions, water and energy use, and potential social impact, supporting the project’s long-term sustainability strategy.
About the Hephaestus Consortium
RINA Consulting (Italy) is a global corporation that provides engineering and consultancy services across several industrial sectors. Rina Centro Sviluppo Materiali is a key leader in materials science and industrial engineering, offering deep expertise in metallurgy and process design.
AdMiRIS P.C. (Greece) specializes in circular economy solutions and resource recovery, with strong capabilities in sustainability assessment and waste valorization.
National Technical University of Athens (Greece) brings academic excellence and advanced laboratory facilities, supporting modeling and experimental validation of core technologies.
KU Leuven (Belgium) contributes cutting-edge research in chemical and environmental engineering, particularly in process optimization and pilot testing.
Mytilineos (Greece), one of Europe’s major industrial and energy companies, plays a central role in scaling up technologies and providing real-world industrial input.
Engitec Technologies SpA (Italy) is a global leader in metallurgical and recycling technologies, contributing technical know-how and support for pilot plant operations.
AIT Europa Engineering (Italy) supports digital integration and forecasting, helping to ensure long-term viability and performance across the system.
Looking Forward
As Hephaestus enters its final phase, the project is focused on demonstrating the scalability and industrial relevance of its innovations. With operational pilot plants and completed sustainability assessments, the consortium is well-positioned to deliver lasting impact in the fields of green metallurgy and circular economy.
Although this year’s General Assembly took place online, the sense of collaboration and shared purpose remained strong. The team fondly recalled the 2023 in-person GA held in Genoa. Here we are sharing a throwback photo from previous time we got together in person to celebrate the journey so far.
To follow project updates, technical progress, and upcoming events, stay connected with Hephaestus through our Linkedin.
