The project objective as stated in the original research proposal was to develop a coal-based and coke-free iron making process based on RHF and a melting/refining unit to provide high quality/inexpensive hot metal for BOF steelmaking. This objective has been substantially achieved in about one-help of the time, due to the very diligent work of highly qualified staff and of course, the absence of breakdown of the equipment. As guided by representatives of sponsoring companies and AISI TRP officials the objective of the project was enlarged and the budget increased to include a series of experiments in a pilot plant in Genoa, Italy, and the extension of the project duration by three months.