The SUMMSEED project (Sustainable Medium Manganese Steels for cost-efficient applications in Heavy Industries) aims to develop steels that reduce their current high manganese content to a medium level (MMnS) and that can adapt to industrial casting and remanufacturing processes through 3D printing (using the disruptive LW-DED technology), offering a more sustainable and cost-efficient alternative to traditional steels. These new materials, which promise a lower production cost compared to traditional Hadfield steels, will combine high strength, ductility, and durability, and can be applied both in manufacturing and component repair, promoting a circular economy. We adopt a cross-cutting approach, from alloy design to final validation, with potential positive impacts on emissions, resources, and employment in the European steel sector. Recently, all project members gathered for an engaging kick-off at the UPC campus in Besòs (EEBE).
Barcelona, October 16, 2025 —The Fundació Centre CIM, also known as CIM UPC, an entity of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya – BarcelonaTech (UPC), participates in a new and innovative project coordinated by UPC, from which we will obtain themost sustainable and cost-efficient steel. Specifically, the
Our goal is to establish a more sustainable production for heavy industry applications. MMnS aim to meet current demand for lighter composition steels that are still highly resistant, versatile, and ductile, with a lower production cost and improved performance compared to traditional Hadfield steels.
Theversatility of the material concept developed in SUMMSEED allows its use in both castingandDED. We will investigate the feasibility of
Project Objective and Expected Results
The SUMMSEED project is supported by the Research Fund for Coal and Steel (RFCS-2024) – NextGeneration EU, which includes Accompanying Measures (AM), Pilot and Demonstration Projects (PDP), and general Research Projects (RPJ).
This pioneering project in the metallurgical sector is based on an interdisciplinary collaboration between CIM UPC, UPC, SIDENOR R+D, TU Delft, MELTIO, TUBAF, and SANDVIK, providing expertise and capabilities throughout the entire manufacturing chain: from alloy design, base material production, casting, and DED remanufacturing, to component quality validation. We reinforce this roadmap with microanalytical and mechanical tests, as well as advanced laboratory and in situ characterization using synchrotron techniques.
Recently, all project members gathered for an engaging kick-off at the UPC campus in Besòs (EEBE).
So far, most advances have focused on MMnS physical metallurgy at the laboratory level and its thermo-mechanical processing, which involves costly deformation steps. We will exploit near-net shape forming techniques, such as casting, for cost-efficient fabrication of mining components, and DED additive manufacturing for component repair, establishing a circular value chain.
In summary, SUMMSEED represents the first approach to transferring MMnS metallurgy to industrially relevant conditions using highly applicable near-net shape techniques, with industrial mining equipment as the demonstrator. We have chosen a synergistic approach that combines alloy and process development to overcome the technical, economic, and sustainability challenges these materials currently present.
For me, José María Cabrera, General Director of CIM UPC: “Our goal has been clear since the foundation: to transform research into applied innovation, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies and collaborating closely with companies and institutions to build a more efficient, sustainable, and intelligent industrial model.”
“With this innovative project, we anticipate that this new material will deliver superior service performance compared to currently used Hadfield steels and establish a more sustainable production value chain, through alloy element reduction and component reuse at end-of-life via DED”.
“While most previous advances on medium manganese steels have focused on laboratory-scale physical metallurgy and thermo-mechanical processing, SUMMSEED is pioneering the development of this material for near-final (near-net shape) industrial techniques that are cost-effective. The expected impacts include CO₂ emission reduction, reduced dependency on critical raw materials, and the creation of new economic growth and employment opportunities in the European steel sector”.
Project coordinator, Pere Barriobero, considers that “SUMMSEED is an interdisciplinary collaboration that provides expertise and capabilities across the entire manufacturing chain: from alloy design, raw material production, manufacturing processes, to component quality validation, guided by laboratory characterization and advanced synchrotron characterization.”
Pioneering Research Lines
We are a reference technological center with intensive and diverse activities in research and technological development oriented to industry. Our approach combines scientific knowledge, practical experience, and execution capacity to generate tangible innovation that can be transferred and applied to the productive sector.
Our research lines, all pioneering in their market segments (Health, Concrete, Metal, Hybrid, Magnetic, Industry 4.0), focus on advanced manufacturing technologies, specializing in additive manufacturing, 3D design, automation, cyber-physical systems, and sustainability. We develop projects that not only explore new technical capabilities, but also aim to generate real industrial impact and promote business competitiveness.
About CIM UPC
Leading 3D printing, our mission is to transfer engineering and technology management knowledge, as well as provide tools for companies and professionals to create and improve their products and manufacturing processes. Committed to society and industry, we serve our environment by advancing digital manufacturing and production technologies through training, technology transfer, and research. In this way, I bring business reality closer to the university and help the industrial sector achieve maximum technological competitiveness.
From our origins, we have been characterized by the versatility of our activities. Some of the most relevant are:
- Pilot Plant, offering custom prototype and pre-series production through 3D printing and advanced machining, as well as multiple laboratories for various tests with innovative Direct Ink Writing printers and other technologies for industrial projects, particularly for metal parts..
- Custom Advanced Manufacturing equipment design and production, enabling new production processes based on 3D printing.
- Open innovation: national, individual, or collaborative research projects (such as members of the XaRFA network – Catalonia Additive Manufacturing Reference Network – and European partners).
- Desktop 3D printer design, manufacturing, and sales for professionals and companies (various models, derived from spin-offs BCN3D and ARIDDITIVE).
We were founded in1990, constituting as aUPC foundation in 2005. Since then, in our