Project Overview

Approach and ambition

The decarbonisation challenge is not only a challenge, but it can also provide opportunities to improve the image of the industry to be clean and innovative and thus attractive for work force and society. A mandatory topic for successful decarbonisation which also provides opportunities is to intensify interdisciplinary communication and coordination. Also, the generational change within the work force is not only a challenge, but it can also provide opportunities with regard to the fresh approaches needed to realise technical and digital transformations. Effective skilling and communication initiatives can simultaneously support both, the decarbonisation and the work force transformation if they

adjust skills proactively and hand in hand with research, technological development and implementation
involve and convince employees to prevent concerns and create conviction and identification with the transformation process
integrate the workplace experience of the current work force with fresh approaches brought in by young talents
exploit digitalisation as a key enabler supporting both challenges.

These aspects lead to the conclusion that both challenges should be linked and considered at the same time. Such a hybrid approach intensifies interdisciplinary communication and creates new perspectives and opportunities to identify synergies.

Benefits for society

The SUPER project brings a number of benefits to society by supporting not only the steel industry, but also indirectly the wider European public and economy. A key objective of the project is to promote education and training in the areas of digitalisation and sustainability. Through targeted measures to disseminate knowledge, the project helps to achieve higher levels of education and raise awareness of the challenges and opportunities presented by new industrial technologies. A well-informed and engaged public can support and accelerate the transition to a more sustainable, social and environmentally friendly industry.

The decarbonisation of energy-intensive industries, with the steel industry as a central component, is of strategic importance for the EU. Through its many links to other sectors, the steel industry makes a decisive contribution to achieving the climate targets (via Industrial Symbiosis). A successful transition of the steel industry to decarbonisation can serve as a role model for other industries and regions and help to open up global markets for green technologies. This not only has economic benefits, but also improves the EU's global image as a pioneer in the green and circular economy.

In addition, a positive image of EU industry as green, circular and innovative improves citizens' satisfaction with the EU economy and related policies. Considering the lately critical and anxious mood of citizens and public on decarbonisation and the related EU policies (see first paragraphs of section “Impact”), this benefit can hardly be overestimated. A positive global image of the EU and its attractiveness for highly skilled professionals strengthens the innovative power of European industry and supports the development of new, exportable decarbonisation solutions. This not only creates new market opportunities, but also supports global decarbonisation by disseminating European solutions and technologies worldwide.

Another social benefit of the project is the increase in the qualifications and skills of the labour force. Through the targeted promotion of training measures and the creation of new, modern job profiles, the SUPER project supports (a) the development of a flexible, adaptable and future-orientated workforce, and (b) the attraction of young talents for a digital and green steel industry. This helps to secure the long-term competitiveness of European industry and promote social integration and diversity in the labour market.