Tata Steel UK has launched a significant research initiative named ADAPT-EAF (Accelerating the Development of Automotive and Packaging steel Technology for Electric Arc Furnace production). This program focuses on creating a new generation of high-performance steel products from Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) technology, aimed at revolutionizing automotive body parts and packaging solutions like food cans.
As the UK steel industry shifts toward EAF processes, ADAPT-EAF will tackle a critical challenge related to controlling residual elements in high-recycled-content steel, which can influence the quality and performance of steels used in automotive and packaging applications.
The project will develop an AI-powered platform to accurately predict how various scrap materials affect steel quality and processing. This digital tool will be combined with rapid alloy prototyping and testing to generate vital data and design new steel grades optimized for EAF production.
This initiative strengthens Tata Steel UK’s commitment to producing cleaner, advanced steels domestically, while also fostering expertise and sharing best practices across the company’s global operations.
Backed by a £7 million investment from Tata Steel UK, three partner universities, and additional funding from the EPSRC Prosperity Partnerships program, ADAPT-EAF supports the UK’s push toward sustainable manufacturing and a circular steel economy. The project is one of 23 Prosperity Partnerships announced by the UKRI Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, which is investing £41 million alongside £56 million from industry and academia combined. These partnerships address pressing challenges across sectors including AI, cybersecurity, and drug manufacturing.
Professor Claire Davis of the University of Warwick remarked, “Prosperity Partnerships provide an ideal framework for close collaboration between industry and research institutions. This is a great chance to advance the UK’s leadership in green steel production.”
ADAPT-EAF unites Tata Steel UK with the University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, and the University of Warwick, reflecting Tata Steel’s vision of leading green steel innovation in the UK. The announcement precedes the upcoming launch of Tata Steel’s new Electric Arc Furnace at its Port Talbot facility.
Rajesh Nair, CEO of Tata Steel UK, said, “The timing of this partnership through the EPSRC Prosperity Program is perfect. Leveraging academic resources will accelerate the development of sustainable steel technologies crucial for the future of the UK steel industry.”
Together, Tata Steel UK and its academic partners will build a comprehensive digital and experimental platform to design innovative, low-CO₂ steel products that can be manufactured in the UK. Subodh Pandey, Vice President of R&D and New Materials at Tata Steel UK, added, “This collaboration offers a unique opportunity to innovate with sustainability at its heart.”
The five-year program will also support 13 PhD researchers across the three universities, driving forward research in advanced steel manufacturing suitable for EAF technology. This project marks a significant advancement toward the UK’s clean growth goals, supporting skilled employment and ensuring the steel industry’s long-term competitiveness through low-carbon innovation.
Professor Howard Stone from the University of Cambridge, the project’s lead academic, stated, “By combining expertise in data science and metallurgy, this partnership will unlock the full potential of electric arc furnace steelmaking and deliver practical solutions for a sustainable UK steel sector.”
Dr Jun Jiang from Imperial College London added, “We are excited to contribute advanced forming and structural integrity research to the ADAPT-EAF project. This collaboration will speed up the development of eco-friendly steel grades designed for demanding uses, positioning the UK as a pioneer in green steel technology.”
Tata Steel UK has already made significant progress in its green steel transformation. In December 2023, the company signed a deal with JCB for the supply of green steel, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable partnerships. In October 2024, Tata Steel appointed world-leading metals technology manufacturer Tenova to supply the new furnace, and Sir Robert McAlpine was recently named as the project’s main works contractor. These strategic moves position Tata Steel as a key player in the global shift towards low-carbon steel production.
As one of the world’s most ethically recognized and geographically diversified steel producers, Tata Steel Group operates with an annual crude steel capacity of 34 million tonnes. The company recorded a consolidated turnover of $27.7 billion in the 2023-24 financial year and continues to drive innovation in sustainable steelmaking. With the Port Talbot green steel project now moving forward, Tata Steel UK is set to play a pivotal role in the UK’s industrial transformation, ensuring a more sustainable, competitive, and resilient steel sector for the future.
