The CRM is the joint research centre for the major European iron and steel groups and the non-ferrous metals industry of Benelux, part of its activity being also devoted to SMEs and SMIs. It has been entrusted with the mission of developing new products, new production processes and new surface qualities and functionalities.

The CRM is actively involved in a large-scale project aiming at reduction of the CO2 emissions in the steel industry. This project has been submitted with a request for funding in the European Commission's Sixth Framework Research Programme.

The CRM researchers also regularly take part in international conferences, thus taking part in an ongoing exchange of ideas with renowned experts in the world of science and industry.

The CRM is a non-profit association that was created in 1948 by the Belgian steel industry. Nowadays, its 26 member companies include large international steel groups with operation sites in the Benelux countries and other European firms with a metal-related activity, ranging from material or equipment supply to product transformation.

Over the years, the CRM has made an impressive international reputation for itself in the development of production processes, and has acquired an undisputed expertise
in the field of materials.

The worldwide exploitation of processes patented by the CRM is a clear indication that the research projects undertaken by the association have adequately met the needs of the companies concerned.

The research activity of the CRM

The Common Research Programme is approved of by the steel companies from the ARCELOR and CORUS groups. It includes projects:

• selected by experts from the industry;
• aiming at industrial applications;
• performed in collaboration with industrial partners.

Because innovation involves a synergy of different disciplines, the CRM structure is based on activity departments closely associated with scientific and technical resource departments. The laboratory investigations, pilot-plant simulations and demonstration projects on industrial sites are carried out by multidisciplinary teams of highly qualified research investigators.

The starting point is the essential needs of industry. Three key elements of the development and innovation process are integrated into each CRM project :

• state-of-the-art equipment and expertise in the field of metallurgical engineering, metal science (chemistry, structure, surface), sensors, modelling, control and service properties;
• the objectives of the producers;
• the requirements of the users.

The CRM has definitely set its course to being a favourite partner of not only its member companies but also of small and medium-sized firms. The expertise and technical facilities acquired by the CRM in the course of collaborative research programmes are available to companies, for which the CRM will always be an attentive and effective development partner. Despite its close heavy industry connections, the CRM is equally ready to listen to small-and medium-sized companies finding themselves faced with problems in the processing and application of metallic materials. The principal objective is to put in place an innovative mechanism to enable these companies to benefit from the technological developments achieved through the CRM research activities.