EU backs steel transition
The EU is providing €175mln to support research, innovation and a just transition for the steel and coal sectors.
This will include €100mln for steel and €35mln for coal in a programme to be launched in February to fund research for breakthrough technologies leading to near-zero-carbon steelmaking, as well as projects for managing the just transition for coal mines.
Another fund worth €40mln, to cover both coal and steel, is set to open in June 2025.
The programme aims at improving health and safety, as well as minimising the environmental impacts, during the repurposing of former coal mines and related infrastructure.
It also contributes to new, sustainable and low-carbon steelmaking and finishing processes, and supports advanced steel grades and applications, resource conservation, environment protection and circular economy practices, as well as improved working conditions.
Coal and steel continue to play a significant role for industries, while at the same time steel is essential for many renewable energy technologies.
The Research Programme of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel (RFCS) aligns with the European Green Deal’s objective of achieving a climate-neutral EU by 2050 and complements the Just Transition Mechanism.
