RECENT AND FUTURE-DEVELOPMENT IN STEELMAKING TECHNOLOGY

The development of the Bessemer process more than 100 years ago was a revolution in steelmaking technology. Today there is a second revoluti on going on with the development of processes for smelting reduction a nd near net shape casting. These technologies will reduce the specific investment cost which means that competitive plants can be built on a smaller scale. New mini-mills based on new technology and very effici ent flexible organisations will be a strong competitor for existing in tegrated plants based on conventional technology. The cost for researc h and development, especially development of new process technologies, will increase in the future. Therefore some projects will be done on a national and international basis. National borders will present no o bstacles for such joint research.