Imagine trying to bake a cake with ingredients that are mixed with random bits of plastic and dirt. This project builds a high-tech 'scanner' for scrap metal that tells steelmakers exactly what is in their metal piles before they melt them. By using AI and sensors, it cleans up the recycling process so we can use more low-grade waste to make high-quality steel.
Steelmakers struggle to use low-quality recycled scrap because impurities make the final metal too unstable for high-grade engineering needs. This forces a reliance on expensive virgin materials and increases CO2 emissions.
Two industrial sensor stations: one for heavy (cut) scrap and one for shredded scrap. These stations use AI and sensors to analyze the chemistry, size, and shape of metal batches.
If you are an EAF operator dealing with inconsistent metal quality in post-consumer scrap — this project developed sensor stations that provide chemical analysis of 5-20 tonne batches. This allows you to increase the use of low-quality scrap by 40% while maintaining high-grade steel standards.
If you are a recycling facility dealing with impurities in shredded and heavy scrap — this project developed AI-supported sensor stations. These tools provide direct feedback to optimize shredders and magnets for better impurity removal.
If you are a supplier producing high-performance parts like 42CrMo4 engineering steel — this project developed a way to use more recycled post-consumer scrap without compromising metal purity. This reduces the reliance on virgin materials and lowers CO2 emissions.
Based on available project data, the specific cost or pricing model for the sensor stations is not disclosed.
Yes, the sensor stations are being implemented and demonstrated at an industrial scale at a scrap supplier site operated by Stena Recycling.
Based on available project data, there is no specific information regarding the IP or licensing terms for the developed technology.
The system integrates directly into the processing chains for both heavy (cut) and shredded scrap, providing data on chemistry, size, and shape for batches of 5-20 tonnes.
The project runs from 2023-01-01 to 2027-03-31, with initial requirement investigations completed in 2023 and sensor configuration performed in 2024.
The consortium is highly industry-driven, with 50% of the 12 partners being industrial actors (6 companies). This balance, combined with 3 universities and 3 research centers across 6 European countries, indicates a strong focus on commercial viability and industrial application rather than pure theory. The inclusion of SMEs (2) and a major recycler like Stena Recycling ensures the technology is built for real-world operational environments.
Contact SWERIM AB in Sweden for technical specifications and partnership opportunities.
Contact SciTransfer to connect with the PURESCRAP consortium for early adoption of sensor technology.
