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 will take place at the next Freiberger Steel Day in June 2025.