On 23 October, the EU-funded MOWSES project (Multi-faceted Assessment and Optimization of Welded Structural Green Steel Plates for Use in European Sustainable Infrastructure) was launched with the aim of revolutionizing the safe use of green steel in critical European infrastructure. The focus is on welded joints in medium to ultra-high strength steels. The project is coordinated by OCAS NV, a joint venture between ArcelorMittal and the Flemish Region, which brings together a balanced consortium of four industrial partners and four universities from four EU countries. Each partner contributes its specific expertise in steel production and research. MOWSES is funded with more than 4.5 million euros through the EU's Dual Strategy for Green and Digital Transformation 2024 program and will run for four years.
Traditional steel production processes, which rely on blast furnaces and oxygen blowing processes, are significantly more energy-intensive than the production of recycled steel using electric arc furnaces. Future clean steels will make greater use of scrap to reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 50%, as envisaged by the Clean Steel Partnership. However, the increased use of scrap also brings challenges: residues such as copper, nickel and molybdenum can accumulate in recycled steel and impair its toughness, especially in the heat-affected zones (HAZ) of weld seams, which could jeopardize the integrity of such components for use in infrastructure.
The MOWSES project responds to these challenges by focusing on new alloying concepts that should enable the safe use of green steel even with increased residual elements from recycled scrap. The aim is to define permissible limit values for residual elements in welded joints and in particular their heat-affected zones in order to guarantee the mechanical properties and durability of these critical components. The focus here is on the requirements of infrastructure, particularly in the energy sector, where welded steel plates are of great importance in structures such as wind turbines.
The importance of the project for green steel
Dr. Philippe Thibaux, project coordinator, underlines the importance of the project: “MOWSES is a decisive step in advancing the use of green steel. It enables a significant reduction in carbon emissions without compromising on the necessary properties and reliability of welded steel structures.”
To achieve the project goal, advanced analytical methods such as machine learning, thermodynamic simulations and finite element modeling (FEM) of microstructural behavior will be used. These methods will enable predictions of how residual elements affect the performance of the steel after welding. The aim is to develop steel grades with improved weldability, toughness and strength, even if they come from lower quality scrap. In addition, comprehensive microstructural and mechanical characterizations are essential to ensure that the steel meets stringent safety and performance requirements.
MOWSES not only supports the EU's goal of becoming climate neutral by 2050, but also strengthens Europe's position in the global green steel industry. It promotes innovation and sustainability in key infrastructure projects.
Project overview
- Title: MOWSES: Multi-Faceted Assessment and Optimization of Welded Structural Green Steel Plates for Use in European Sustainable Infrastructure
- Start date: 10.2024
- Duration: 48 months
- Budget: 5 million euros
- Coordinator: OnderzoeksCentrum voor de Aanwending van Staal (OCAS) NV
Project partner
- Belgium
- Germany
- Netherlands
- Czech Republic
- OCAS/ArcelorMittal Global R&D Ghent
- University of Ghent
- Joint stock company of Dillinger Hüttenwerke
- RWTH Aachen University
- Saarland University
- Eurice - European Research and Project Office GmbH
- Delft University of Technology
