CiSMA partners took part in the 10th International Conference on Hot Sheet Metal Forming of High-Performance Steel (CHS² 2026), held from 1 to 3 June in Plzeň, Czech Republic. The event brought together leading researchers, engineers and industry representatives working on hot forming, press hardening and advanced high-performance steel solutions.
The participation of CiSMA partners at CHS² 2026 provided an opportunity to share new research results connected to the project’s ambition: enabling circular, scrap-based steel routes for demanding mass-market applications, including the automotive sector and white goods. By addressing the technical barriers that currently limit the use of recycled steel in high-quality sheet metal products, CiSMA contributes to Europe’s transition towards lower-emission, resource-efficient steel production.
Carlos Capdevila from CENIM-CSIC presented the paper “Scrap-Based Advanced High-Strength Steels for Climate-Neutral Automotive Applications: Mitigating Tramp Elements via Microstructural Engineering”. The contribution focused on the development of advanced high-strength steels produced from scrap-based routes, with particular attention to the challenge posed by tramp elements. Through microstructural engineering, the work explores pathways to mitigate the negative effects of these residual elements and support the uptake of recycled steels in climate-neutral automotive applications.
In addition, Aerobase participated through a paper authored by Daniel Berglund with the title “Virtual Process Chain for Recycled Steel – Effect of Chemical Composition on Forming, Joining and Crash Performance” further strengthening the project’s representation at the conference and underlining the collaborative nature of CiSMA’s technical work. The contribution added an industrial perspective to the discussions on high-performance steel, hot forming and the future integration of recycled materials into demanding production environments.
The presence of CiSMA partners at CHS² 2026 highlighted the relevance of the project within the international steel research community. The conference offered a valuable platform to exchange knowledge with experts across the press hardening and high-performance steel value chain, while increasing the visibility of CiSMA’s approach to circularity, material performance and climate-neutral manufacturing.
