Salzgitter KLASSE Project Advances Metal Recovery from Steel Slag

Salzgitter KLASSE Project Drives Circular Steel Innovation

German steelmaker Salzgitter AG has launched the KLASSE project to recover valuable metals from slag. The €1.4 million initiative targets improved circularity and reduced reliance on imported raw materials. The Salzgitter Mannesmann Forschung GmbH coordinates the project alongside leading research institutions.

The Salzgitter KLASSE project focuses on extracting iron, vanadium, manganese, and chromium from electric arc furnace slag. These metals often remain trapped and lost during conventional steelmaking processes. However, the project aims to return them efficiently into the production cycle.

Meanwhile, the initiative aligns with Europe’s broader push for sustainable resource management. As a result, the project supports both industrial recycling and raw material security across the region.

Salzgitter KLASSE Project Uses Energy-Efficient Recovery Methods

The Salzgitter KLASSE project introduces a hybrid technological approach for metal recovery. It combines innovative “cold” processing methods with a direct extraction process. This method reduces energy consumption compared to traditional recovery techniques.

Strategic Impact of the Salzgitter KLASSE Project

The project involves partners such as Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, TS Elino GmbH, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, and TU Clausthal. These collaborations strengthen the project’s technical capabilities and research depth.

Each year, steel production generates large volumes of slag, often used in construction or discarded. However, this slag contains critical metals essential for modern industry. Therefore, the Salzgitter KLASSE project aims to unlock this untapped resource.

Preliminary laboratory results already show strong recovery potential. Consequently, the project could significantly reduce raw material losses and improve supply chain resilience. The initiative will run for three years with support from Germany’s federal government.

SuperMetalPrice Commentary:

The Salzgitter KLASSE project signals a strategic shift toward resource efficiency in the steel sector. Europe faces rising pressure to secure critical metals amid global supply risks. Therefore, technologies that recover metals from slag offer clear economic and environmental value. SuperMetalPrice expects similar initiatives to expand as steelmakers prioritize circular production and cost control.