Recycling waste plastics in electric arc furnace steelmaking: Fundamental understanding of plastics/slag interactions and slag foaming

This project will deliver the fundamental science that will enable companies to produce steel using waste plastics.

Novel waste recycling process will improve the efficiency of Electric Arc Furnace steelmaking, lowering costs and energy consumption, thereby enhancing the international competitiveness of Australian steelmaking industry. At the same time, our advances will allow EAFs to consume substantial amounts of plastic waste, including plastics that are currently unsuitable for recycling. The technology will lower greenhouse gas emissions and will reduce the reliance of EAFs on metallurgical coke. This will have a significant impact on the environment.

Image: Liquid steel and Bakelite/Coke snapshots at 1550 degrees celsius

Key contact

+61 2 9385 4426
veena@unsw.edu.au