As the UK steel industry transitions towards electric arc furnace (EAF) technology, the ADAPT-EAF program will address one of the key challenges of using high-recycled-content steel: how to control and optimize residual elements that can affect performance in demanding applications such as some automotive components and packaging.
The ADAPT-EAF project will develop an AI-powered platform to predict how different scrap types and compositions impact steel quality and processability. This will be integrated with rapid alloy prototyping and testing to generate the data required, as well as to pioneer automotive and packaging steel grades suited to EAF processing.
This work will reinforce Tata Steel UK’s efforts to produce cleaner, high-performance steels in the UK, while building local expertise and sharing best EAF steelmaking practices, product knowledge, and robust processes across the Group.
Backed by £7 million in funding from Tata Steel UK, three partner universities and with a contribution from the EPSRC Prosperity Partnerships program, the project will not only drive innovation in high-performance, low-carbon steels but also support the UK’s clean growth ambitions, marking a crucial step toward more sustainable manufacturing and a circular steel economy.
ADAPT-EAF is one of 23 new Prosperity Partnerships announced by the UKRI Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) which will tackle key industry challenges in areas from drug manufacturing and artificial intelligence to cybersecurity. EPSRC is funding the partnerships with a £41-million investment, matched with a further £56 million from businesses and academia.
ADAPT-EAF brings together Tata Steel UK with the University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, and the University of Warwick to drive innovation in low-emission steel production. This proposal is in line with Tata Steel's vision of being a beacon for green steelmaking in the UK.
The announcement also comes ahead of the upcoming groundbreaking on the Electric Arc Furnace at Tata Steel’s Port Talbot site.
Tata Steel UK, Cambridge University, Imperial College and Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) at the University of Warwick will collaborate to develop a robust digital and experimental smart framework for creating new, value-added steel products that can be manufactured in the UK using low-CO₂ steelmaking methods.
The five-year program will also fund 13 PhD studentships across the three universities to conduct leading research into the advanced manufacturing of steels and steel products suited to EAF steelmaking.