CIRHYCircular steel
Hydrogen resistant
Circularity as opportunity

Engineering
Hydrogen-Resistant
Circular Steels

Turning material variability into a design advantage through multiscale materials design.

Materials science · Circular design
6 yearsResearch &
innovation
17 partnersScience, industry
& society
NWOGranted in 2025
Project P24.058
The challenge

Two transitions
One materials challenge

The hydrogen economy needs reliable steel. Circular production needs recycled materials. CIRHY brings these transitions together to engineer steels that are both sustainable and resistant to hydrogen damage.

01 / CIRCULARITY

Make variability
an opportunity

Understand how residual elements in recycled steel can become a design advantage, reducing dependence on primary raw materials.

02 / HYDROGEN RESISTANCE

Build confidence
in performance

Investigate hydrogen–microstructure interactions to help prevent embrittlement and support reliable steels for demanding applications.

03 / DIGITAL DESIGN

Predict first
Design better

Connect advanced experiments with physics-based modelling to move beyond trial-and-error materials development.

Explore our ambition
Our approach

From atomic interactions
to industrial impact

CIRHY is developing a predictive, digital design framework that connects knowledge across scales. Experiments and modelling work together to reveal how circular steels behave in hydrogen environments.

Objectives objectives
01 · Understand

Hydrogen & microstructure

Reveal the role of residual elements, defects and precipitates.

02 · Predict

Multiscale materials design

Connect atomistic, mesoscopic and macroscopic models.

03 · Validate

Industrial applications

Assess performance in energy, infrastructure and transport.

A shared ambition

Better materials
Built together

A collaboration spanning fundamental science, digital engineering and industrial practice, facilitated by the Materials Innovation Institute (M2i).

Explore all 17 partners