The Hephaestus project was in the spotlight at the launch of the 27th edition of Steelmaster, the advanced training course designed for middle management in the steel industry. The course, recognised by the European Commission as a unique example of sector-specific training, began its first week on Monday, 19 May, with a dedicated session on Hephaestus technologies and objectives.
The Hephaestus project was in the spotlight at the launch of the 27th edition of Steelmaster, the advanced training course designed for middle management in the steel industry. The course, recognised by the European Commission as a unique example of sector-specific training, began its first week on Monday, 19 May, with a dedicated session on Hephaestus technologies and objectives.
Hephaestus, standing for “Heavy and Extractive Industry Wastes Phasing Out through ESG Tailings Upcycling Synergy” aims to provide sustainable solutions for reducing industrial waste through innovative clean technologies and circular economy strategies. The project’s presence at Steelmaster represents a strategic opportunity to engage with industry professionals who are positioned to drive change within their organisations.
The session, which took place in the late morning, featured key presentations from project partners:
- Hephaestus Introduction: Project Scope and Objectives by Enrico Salvatore, RINA
- Integrated Process Demonstrator: CleanTech + Fiber Unit + Ezinex by Roberto Davico, AIT Europa Engineering
- CCT Unit Presentation and Preliminary Results by Antonis Peppas, National Technical University of Athens
- AAC Hydrometallurgical Process for Zinc Purification by Thomas Abo Atia, KU Leuven
This session marked an important milestone in the dissemination of Hephaestus technologies, enabling direct dialogue with professionals from leading steel companies. Participants gained insights into the technical components of the project, including advanced hydrometallurgical processes, integrated clean tech solutions, and upcycling techniques that contribute to ESG objectives.
By integrating Hephaestus into the Steelmaster programme, the project is reaching a critical audience within the steel industry, one that is actively involved in decision-making, operations, and innovation. The session also supported the broader educational goals of Steelmaster, which this year includes thematic modules on Industry 4.0 and the Circular Economy.
Steelmaster participants will later develop final theses based on topics covered during the course. Several of these are expected to focus on technologies and approaches presented by Hephaestus, further reinforcing the project’s impact across industrial training and practice.
Through this collaboration, Hephaestus continues to strengthen its role as a catalyst for sustainable transformation in heavy industries, offering practical pathways to reduce environmental impact while supporting industrial competitiveness.
