A high-performance plasma furnace, including the associated exhaust gas purification system, is expanding the research activities at the metallurgy pilot plant of the Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology (HIF). Saxony's Science Minister Sebastian Gemkow inaugurated the research infrastructure with a symbolic act on August 27, 2024. The plasma technology will make it possible to compare the quality of recycled materials and primary raw materials. This will make it much easier for companies to increase the proportion of recycled materials used in their products in future, thereby reducing theircarbon footprint.
In the plasma furnace, the plasma gas creates a furnace atmosphere with favorable thermal conditions, especially for melting and remelting iron, steel and non-ferrous metals with a high degree of purity. The double-electrode plasma furnace is based on a proven, patented technology that is specially designed for versatility and robustness. Plasma furnace technology forms the basis for HIF's research into the reduction, refining and upgrading of metallurgical waste products and the treatment of primary ores and concentrates.
