Iranian Steel Company’s Recycling Innovation Wins World Steelie Award  

In this project, which was carried out in cooperation with the knowledge-based ‘Fadak Exir Steel’ company and supported by the Iran Nano and Micro Technologies Innovation Council (INIC), industrial sludge and oxide powders from rolling lines are converted into valuable iron concentrate. This indigenous project, which uses nanotechnology, UV radiation, and a closed water cycle system, converts over 30,000 tons of waste into recyclable material annually.

Mobarakeh Steel Company of Isfahan succeeded in winning the top title of ‘Environmental Sustainability’ at the 16th International Steelie Awards 2025. This award, which is given by the World Steel Association (Worldsteel), the most prestigious steel industry organization in the world, was given to the innovative project ‘Converting Industrial Sludge into Strategic Value’; a project that has demonstrated a successful model of green industry by relying on nanotechnology, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and water recycling systems.

In this project, hot rolling clarifier sludge and cold rolling oxide powders, which were previously known as industrial waste, are converted into economically valuable iron concentrate. The implementation of this indigenous technology has not only prevented environmental pollution, but also led to the annual recycling of more than 30,000 tons of industrial materials and reduced water consumption in production processes.

Earlier reports, in May, said that a technological company affiliated to Islamic Azad University’s Isfahan branch was able to separate steel waste with a capacity of 6,000 tons per year.

 “In the iron-making units of Mobarakeh Steel Industries, there is waste that is separated by vibration in several lines. Suitable raw materials are separated and good products are re-entered into the production line. This project, from A to Z, including design, procurement, construction and commissioning, was carried out by our company,” Saeed Daneshmand, a representative of the company, told ANA.

“So far, we have indigenized nearly 170 to 180 sample parts for steel complexes. The latest product we produced is double-layer metal composite sheets, which were previously imported,” he added.

Daneshmand explained that these sheets are double-layer steel, adding that one side should have a hardness of between 500 and 600 Brinell to provide abrasion resistance, and the other side should have a hardness of around 150 Brinell to absorb vibration.

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