Trent Refractories supports seven tonne research EAF at the MPI green steel centre

2026-04-03

Apr. 2, 2026 - Trent Refractories has played a key role in supporting a major investment by the Materials Processing Institute, which has unveiled a £2.9 million seven-tonne Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) designed to advance the development of next-generation green steel technologies. Located within the Institute’s Green Steel Centre, the new facility is the only research and production Electric Arc Furnace of its kind in the UK. The furnace provides a unique environment where emerging steelmaking technologies can be developed, tested and refined under realistic industrial conditions. The installation marks a significant step forward in the UK’s transition towards low-carbon and sustainable steel production, supporting both academic research and industrial collaboration aimed at scaling green steel solutions.

Specialist Refractory Engineering

As part of the project, Trent Refractories supplied specialist refractory solutions for the Electric Arc Furnace, designed to withstand the extreme temperatures and operating conditions inherent in modern steelmaking. These components play a critical role in furnace performance, helping to ensure durability, thermal efficiency and operational reliability throughout demanding melting cycles. With decades of experience supporting the global steel industry, Trent Refractories continues to provide high-performance refractory systems that enable advanced steelmaking processes while improving operational efficiency and sustainability.

Enabling the Future of Green Steel

The Green Steel Centre aims to accelerate the development of technologies that will underpin the future of steel production, including lower-carbon melting methods, process optimisation and new metallurgical approaches. By supporting this pioneering facility, Trent Refractories is proud to contribute to a project that will help shape the next generation of sustainable steelmaking in the UK and beyond. As the industry continues its transition toward greener processes, collaboration between technology developers, research institutions and specialist suppliers will be essential in delivering practical, scalable solutions for the steel sector.