Tata Steel UK has launched a major research program called ADAPT-EAF (Accelerating the Development of Automotive and Packaging steel Technology for Electric Arc Furnace production). The initiative aims to create advanced steel grades optimized for electric arc furnace (EAF) production, specifically targeting automotive body parts and packaging applications.
The project will develop an AI-powered platform to predict how different scrap compositions affect steel quality and processability. This digital tool will be paired with rapid alloy prototyping and testing to design new low-carbon steel grades suited to high-recycled-content inputs.
Backed by £7 million in funding and supported by the UK’s EPSRC Prosperity Partnerships program, the five-year initiative brings together Tata Steel UK with the University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, and the University of Warwick. It will also support 13 PhD studentships focused on sustainable steel manufacturing.
The announcement coincides with Tata Steel UK’s groundbreaking for a new EAF at its Port Talbot site, reinforcing its commitment to decarbonizing steel production and advancing the UK’s clean growth goals
