Called SUSTAIN, the initiative is being led by Swansea University in partnership with universities of Sheffield and Warwick and a number of steelmakers, trade groups and research organizations.

In a statement announcing the initiative, SUSTAIN leaders said the initiative marks the first time the U.K. steel industry has collectively thrown its support behind a coordinated line of research.  And with the U.K.’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council contributing GBP10 million to the initiative, it represents the single largest investment in steel research by a U.K. research council.

“Research and innovation are the bedrock of a modern steel industry. This network represents almost the whole U.K. steel sector, with researchers and companies working together on an unprecedented scale,” said Swansea University metallurgist and SUSTAIN deputy director Cameron Pleydell-Pearce.

“This news is a massive vote of confidence in the steel industry.  It will support the industry’s vision for a responsible, innovative and creative future.  We are already on the road to clean, green and smart steelmaking, but this is another giant step forward,” he said.

You can read more about the SUSTAIN initiative here.