The Institute of Iron and Steel Technology

Steel is completely recyclable and a driver of the energy transition, decarbonisation and electromobility.

The by-products of the steel industry are:

• metallurgical gases,
• slag,
• dust.

These by-products are therefore important secondary raw materials for various branches of industry, such as the construction materials and chemical industries.

At the institute, essential questions regarding the ongoing transformation of the steel industry are answered through current research activities, thus contributing to:

• resource conservation,
• raw material independence
• and climate neutrality.

The core skills taught during the degree programme, internships, but also industry semesters and the opportunity to write an external dissertation in a steel company help to ensure that the professional entry after graduation can be completely successful.

Contact and team

The Gröditzer metallurgist Adolf Ledebur was appointed to the newly created Chair of Ferrous Metallurgy at the Freiberg Mining Academy on 1 December 1874. He took up his post as professor and head of the metallurgical laboratory on 1 April 1875 and began teaching in October of the same year, which he continued until 1906.

The start of independent teaching and research in the field of ferrous metallurgy in Freiberg thus marks the 150th anniversary and is regarded as the founding date of today's Institute of Iron and Steel Technology at TU Bergakademie Freiberg.

To commemorate Prof Ledebur and the anniversary of our institute, the company Werner Figuren from Seiffen in the Saxon Ore Mountains has designed and handcrafted a Ledebur figurine of the eminent professor. The official celebration of the 150th anniversary took place at the Freiberger Steel Day on 4 June 2025.

Click here for the special anniversary issue:

Steel Research International: Volume 96, Issue 5 - Special Issue: 150 Years of Steel Research at TU Bergakademie Freiberg

Seshadri Seetharaman was born on December 5th, 1943, in Pudukottai, Tamil Nadu, India. After studying at the Indian Institute of Science, where he earned his PhD in Metallurgy in 1971, he continued his career at the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Stockholm. There he became Professor of Theoretical Metallurgy in 1990 and later Head of the Department of Metallurgy as well as Pro-Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical and Materials Engineering.

His research significantly advanced the thermochemistry and thermophysics of high-temperature metal and oxide systems, particularly viscosities, thermal diffusivities, interfacial tensions, and reaction kinetics. With over 400 publications, numerous presentations, and patents, he bridged fundamental science and industrial applications.

As an educator, he was repeatedly recognized, receiving the President’s Award for Teaching (1994) and the title of “Best Teacher” (2004). Other honors include the Brimacombe Prize (2010), honorary professorships in several countries, and the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Indian Institute of Science.

He served as editor of the Treatise on Process Metallurgy and continues as a visiting professor at TATA Steel. With a special issue in the journal Steel Research International on the occasion of his 80th birthday in December 2023, his scientific achievements are being honored.

Click here for the special issue::

Steel Research International: Volume 96, Issue 8 - Special Issue: Dedicated to Seshadri Seetharaman on the Occasion of his 80th Birthday