2nd CIRKLA Summer School – Saarbrücken 2026
Green Metallurgy: Case Study Steel – Decarbonization, Circularity, Innovation
The event is part of the Interreg-UniGR-CIRKLA project, funded by the Interreg Grande Région 2021-2027 program.
Why is it important?
The transition to a climate-neutral industry is one of Europe’s most pressing challenges, and steel lies at its core. As one of the most widely used and energy-intensive materials, the steel sector must rapidly evolve to reduce carbon emissions, increase resource efficiency, and integrate circular economy principles. Addressing this transformation requires new technological solutions, interdisciplinary thinking, and a new generation of professionals capable of bridging science, engineering, and policy.
In this second edition of the CIRKLA Summer School, the programme focuses on Steel as a case study for industrial decarbonization and circular innovation. Participants will examine the challenges and opportunities facing Europe’s steel transition, including resource scarcity, carbon-neutral production routes, advanced recycling strategies, as well as economic and regulatory aspects. Through expert lectures, interactive talks, visits, and hands-on case studies, participants will gain insights into the technological, environmental, and economic dimensions of sustainable stell production.
Beyond technical knowledge, the summer school emphasises systems thinking and interdisciplinary collaboration. Participants will work in teams to analyse real-world challenges, explore environmental assessment tools, and develop innovative approaches for more circular and resilient materials systems.
The CIRKLA Summer School also offers a dynamic international environment where participants can exchange ideas, build networks, and engage with leading researchers and industry experts shaping the future of sustainable metallurgy.
Join us to deepen your expertise, broaden your perspective, and become part of the next generation driving the transformation of materials and manufacturing.
Apply now and be part of the transition towards greener metallurgy.
Who can apply?
The CIRKLA Summer School invites Master’s students, PhD candidates, and early-career professionals to explore the future of green metallurgy through an intensive, collaborative learning experience. Organised by EUSMAT within the UniGR-CIRKLA project (funded by the Interreg Greater Region programme), the summer school brings together participants from diverse backgrounds including materials science, mechanical and chemical engineering, product design, logistics, economics, and sustainability studies.
The Summer School will take place:
📅 From 7th to 11th September, 2026
📍 At Saarland University, Saarbrücken
Registration deadline: June 1st, 2026
Please keep in mind that the number of participants is limited.
Travel Guide – Saarbrücken- Expert talks
- Case Study (Theory and practical work)
- Power4Steel: Green Transformation and Circular Steel Production
- Legal framework and challenges of international trade in steel
- Iron and steelmaking slags as construction material
- Challenges in the transformation of Al-free steel grades
Visit to Dillinger Hütte
Advanced Master Students, doctoral students, post-doctoral researchers, and early-career professionals working in experimental and/or modeling/simulation in any field of physics of condensed matters, solid state chemistry, materials science, materials engineering and related disciplines (with or without experience in RDM).
Participants must bring their own laptop.
Monday, 7th September
09:00 – 09:30 Registration
09:30 – 10:30 Welcome + participant introductions – Prof. Dr. Mücklich
10:30 – 10:45 Short project / group introduction
10:45 – 11:00 MoSES project overview
11:00 – 11:15 Coffee Break
11:15 – 12:00 Expert Talk – Prof. Dr. Jörn Block
12:00 – 13:30 Lunch
13.30 – 15:00 Introduction of Case Study – Prof. Christian Köhler
15:00 15:15 Coffee break
15:15 – 17:00 Case Study – Prof. Christian Köhler
17:00 – 18:00 Power4Steel: Green Transformation and Circular Steel Production – Dr. Daniel Rupp
19:00 – (open end) Dinner at Ratskeller
Tuesday, 8th September
10:30 – 11:00 Coffee break
11:00 – 12:00 Legal framework and challenges of international trade in steel – Dr. Philipp Reinhold
12:00 – 13:30 Lunch
13:30 – 14:30 Iron and steelmaking slags as construction material – Dr. Romain Trauchessec
14:30 15:00 Coffee break
15:00 – 17:00 Group work on Case Study – Prof. Christian Köhler
Wednesday, 9th September
07:15 – Meeting at Hohenzollernstraße 41, 66117 Saarbrücken, Departure to Dillingen
08:00 – 12:00 Visit to Dillinger Hütte
12:00 – 13:00 Travel to University Campus
13:00 – 13:30 Lunch
13:30 – 15:00 Case Study (Feedback & Coaching) – Prof. Christian Köhler
15:00 – 15:30 Coffee break
15:30 – 17:00 Group work on Case Study – Prof. Christian Köhler
Thursday, 10th September
09:00 – 10:30 Group work on Case Study – Prof. Christian Köhler
10:30 – 11:00 Coffee break
11:00 – 12:00 Case Study (Feedback & Coaching) – Prof. Christian Köhler
12:00 – 14:00 Lunch
14:00 – 15:00 Challenges in the transformation of Al-free steel grades – Simon Ferner, R&D Saarstahl
15:00 – 15:30 Coffee Break
15:30 – 17:00 Group work on Case Study – Prof. Christian Köhler
Friday, 11th September
09:00 – 12:00 Case Study: Participants Presentations
12:00 – 13:30 Lunch
13:30 – 14:00 End of Summer School and Certificates
- Prof. Dr. Frank Mücklich – Universität des Saarlandes
- Prof. Dr. Christian Köhler – HTW Saar
- Prof. Dr. Jörn Block – Universität Trier
- Dr. Daniel Rupp – AG der Dillinger Hüttenwerke
- Dr. iur. Philipp Reinhold – Universität des Saarlandes
- Dr. Romain Trauchessec – Université de Lorraine
- Simon Ferner – R&D Saarstahl
Organisation:
- Dr. Pranav Nayak – Universität des Saarlandes, Germany
- Dr. Flavio Soldera – Universität des Saarlandes, EUSMAT
- Dr. Agustina Guitar – Universität des Saarlandes, Germany
- Paulina Urueta – Universität des Saarlandes, EUSMAT
Saarland University
Graduate Center, building C9.3
Campus
66123 Saarbrücken
Germany
Accommodation support may be available upon request (free of charge). Limited availablility. In case you need accommodation for the summer school, please select it the registration form. We will arrange shared rooms and will try to accommodate all participats but cannot completely assure a place.
The accommodation support is provided by the Interreg-UniGR-CIRKLA project.
Friends Hotel Saarbrücken
Hohenzollernstraße 41, 66117 Saarbrücken
Local Transport
You will have to take care of the travel costs and the costs for local transport in Saarbrücken.
From the hotel you can take different bus lines to the University Campus.
Please keep in mind that the number of participants is limited.
Registration deadline: June 1st, 2026
IMPORTANT!
The participation is free of charge.
The event will take place in English.
In case of further inquiries please contact: office@eusmat.net
Partners
Interreg
UNIGR
EUSMAT – European School of Materials, Universität des Saarlandes
