The LIFE GreenPowder project is dedicated to the construction of a prototype plant for the recovery of iron oxide from waste sludge and slag from the steel industry. The aim is to obtain fine spherical iron powder (FSIP, <15 µm) of a specific shape and density, which can be used for shape forming, welding, thermal processes and applications in the battery and hydrogen production.

The new process to fabricate FSIP developed by OSTEC in cooperation with IFAM, is based on the granulation of iron oxide powder with a subsequent two-step reduction of hydrogen at low temperatures (500-750°C). This process is advantageous due to a higher yield, and water vapor being the only by-product of this process (re-used for process energy).