How can the quality of Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) be predicted in near real time, supporting the transition towards more sustainable steel production?
At the ESTEP Annual Event 2026, held from 20–22 October in Ghent, Belgium, Belgin Mutlu and Thomas Kristan from Pro²Future presented an approach for predicting the quality of Direct Reduced Iron, developed in close cooperation with Primetals Technologies. Under the theme “Paving the Future of EU Steel: Clean Technologies, Smart Steel Products, and Applications,” the event brought together current advances and stakeholders from across the European steel research and innovation community.
Near real-time quality prediction
Direct Reduced Iron is a key building block for the decarbonization of steel production. Reliable predictions of DRI quality at an early stage can help operators make better-informed decisions, stabilize processes, and reduce waste.
The hybrid physics-informed approach developed by Pro²Future and Primetals Technologies combines physical process knowledge with data-driven methods. The goal is to predict DRI quality in near real time while achieving both high accuracy and the level of trustworthiness required for industrial applications.
The ESTEP Annual Event also provided an opportunity to exchange ideas with the European steel research and innovation community and highlighted current developments on the path towards cleaner, smarter, and more sustainable steel production.