Advanced Processes and Technologies for Sustainable Metallurgy

Dear Colleagues,

The metallurgical sector is one of the main pillars of industry in Europe and globally. Metallurgy is important not only for the modern economies of developed countries but also for the building of infrastructure in developing countries; therefore, the demand for metallurgy is expected to grow in the coming decades to meet the growing social and economic needs.

The increasing demand for metallurgical products in domestic markets and, therefore, in markets all over the world and ongoing geopolitical and economic events are creating pressure to innovate and optimize the current processes in the metallurgical sector.

Metallurgy plays a key role in advancing sustainable manufacturing practices. From material selection to energy-efficient processes, waste reduction, and recyclability, metallurgical innovations are helping to reduce the environmental impacts of manufacturing. By embracing these advances and integrating them into their operations, industries can minimize resource consumption, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and work toward a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future. As the demand for sustainable products continues to grow, metallurgy's role in shaping the manufacturing landscape will become increasingly important.

Modern metallurgical processes also focus on the application of additive production, 3D welding, organic design, complex material analysis, modern virtualization tools and numerical simulations, and the digitization of steel components for mechanical engineering. The integral part is to optimize the components for mechanical engineering using organic design to improve technological and utility properties. New findings will lead to reductions in the energy and material demands in production.

The central task is to research, develop, and realize the digitization of metallurgical processes by employing modern virtualization tools such as numerical simulations; the digitization of key components; and the collection, sorting, visualization, and evaluation of data from the production process, with the possibility of optimizing numerical simulation parameters. An integral part of this could be the overall streamlining of the preparation, implementation, and optimization processes in production.

Another important field is that of waste recycling. Recycling waste through metallurgical processes is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it helps conserve valuable natural resources by reducing the need for raw material extraction. Secondly, it contributes to energy savings, as recycling typically requires less energy compared to primary metal production. Additionally, recycling metal waste reduces greenhouse gas emissions associated with mining and processing ores. Moreover, it minimizes the amount of waste sent to landfills, thereby mitigating environmental pollution and preserving land resources. Recycling metals plays a vital role in creating a circular economy where materials are reused, fostering sustainability and reducing our dependence on raw material extraction. By tapping into the potential of waste materials, the optimization of resource efficiency and minimization of environmental impacts could be achieved.

This Special Issue will be dedicated to new perspectives in the metallurgical sector and advanced processes and technologies for sustainable metallurgy.

Dr. Iveta Vasková
Dr. Dana Baricová
Dr. Dušan Oráč
Guest Editors

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