The transition to climate-neutral manufacturing requires not only cleaner energy sources but also more efficient industrial processes. In Europe’s forging and casting sectors, heat treatment remains one of the most energy-intensive stages of production, making it a key opportunity for reducing emissions while strengthening industrial competitiveness.
This challenge is at the heart of GREENLINE (Green Electrified Ultrafast In-Line Heat Treatment for Net-Zero Forging and Casting), a new Horizon Europe Innovation Action that officially launched in June 2026. EEIP is proud to be one of the project’s nine consortium partners, leading communication, dissemination, exploitation and stakeholder engagement activities to help maximise the impact of the project’s innovations across Europe.
Rethinking Industrial Heat Treatment
Running for 36 months, GREENLINE will develop and demonstrate a novel electrified in-line heat treatment processthat replaces conventional batch heat treatment with a faster and more energy-efficient alternative.
By making use of the residual heat generated during forging and casting processes, the project seeks to eliminate unnecessary reheating stages, significantly reducing energy consumption, CO₂ emissions and production times while maintaining the highest metallurgical standards. The project targets energy savings of up to 40% together with a substantial reduction in processing lead time, contributing directly to Europe’s industrial decarbonisation objectives.
Beyond improving process efficiency, GREENLINE also supports Europe’s ambition to strengthen the competitiveness of energy-intensive industries by demonstrating technologies that reduce operational costs while lowering environmental impacts. The project therefore contributes to both climate goals and the long-term resilience of European manufacturing.
A Strong European Partnership
The project officially commenced on 1 June 2026 and brings together an outstanding consortium representing the entire industrial value chain, including research organisations, technology providers, equipment manufacturers, industrial end-users and communication specialists from across Europe.
Coordinated by AZTERLAN Metallurgy Research Centre, GREENLINE combines expertise from metallurgy, electrification, manufacturing and industrial innovation to accelerate the deployment of next-generation heat treatment technologies capable of supporting Europe’s transition towards climate-neutral production.
For EEIP, joining GREENLINE continues its long-standing commitment to supporting European industrial decarbonisation projects by connecting technical innovation with industry stakeholders, policymakers and wider European networks.
Launching the Project in the Basque Country
On 15-16 June, the GREENLINE consortium gathered in Durango, Basque Country, Spain, for the project’s Kick-Off Meeting, hosted by the coordinator, AZTERLAN.
The meeting marked the beginning of a collaborative journey to accelerate the decarbonisation of Europe’s forging and casting industries through innovative in-line heat treatment technologies. Over two intensive days, partners discussed the project’s technical objectives, aligned on the first implementation activities and established the collaborative framework that will guide the project throughout the next three years.
Alongside the technical discussions, partners also coordinated the first communication, dissemination and exploitation activities that will support the project’s visibility from the outset. Establishing a common strategy early in the project helps ensure that research progress, industrial demonstrations and stakeholder engagement evolve together throughout the lifetime of GREENLINE.
Supporting Innovation Beyond the Laboratory
European research projects create their greatest impact when innovative technologies are understood, adopted and replicated beyond the consortium itself.
As leader of communication, dissemination, exploitation and stakeholder engagement, EEIP will work closely with project partners to communicate GREENLINE’s progress, promote collaboration with relevant industrial initiatives and ensure that project results reach manufacturers, policymakers, researchers and other stakeholders interested in industrial electrification and decarbonisation.
Throughout the project, EEIP will support not only the visibility of GREENLINE’s technical achievements but also the wider exchange of knowledge that helps innovative solutions move closer to industrial deployment.
Discover the GREENLINE Project
GREENLINE is developing innovative electrified heat treatment technologies that improve energy efficiency, reduce emissions and strengthen the competitiveness of Europe’s forging and casting industries.
Visit the official project channel to follow the latest developments, news and project results!
Funding Acknowledgement
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 101294375.
Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the granting authority. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
