Considering the advantages of steel surface hardening, when less expensive low-and medium-carbon steels can be surface hardened without the problems of distortion and cracking associated with the through hardening of thick sections, we developed some research entailing the increase in environmental performance of iron powders carburizing process using methane as carrier. Apart of studies on optimal working parameters and methods, our research addresses improvements in environmental performance of process by selecting powders suppliers, reducing raw materials and energy consumptions, considering products life cycle analysis. A comparison is also performed among the characteristics of three series of research for obtaining ecological steels for automotive industry.

A friendly technology with the environment which consists of the elaboration of carbon steels through specific proceedings to powder metallurgy has in view the contribution of methane gas in iron powders at the same time with sintering. This technology is advantageous from various points of view: the final product is a part which does not need afterward processing with solid waste result and therefore the specific energy consume is lower, the wear and corrosion behavior is similar to that of classic steels and better than that of sintered steels obtained through mixing iron and graphite; the obtained steels is also a recycling material. In the paper there are presented the most important aspects that prove the fact that carbon steel obtained through this new technology is an ecomaterial.

This paper introduces and analyses the results of some research regarding the recovery of fine chips from the slurry resulted from the finishing operations (grinding) of the parts used in automobile industry. Little chips, in the form of slime, represent a very important source of raw materials when preparing the powders and at the same time it can be appreciated that the volume of these chips in the form of slurry is high enough so that its use can substantially diminish the production costs.

The circular economy has established itself as the economic model that can make a major contribution to achieving the sustainable development goals set by the United Nations through the 2030 Agenda. The European Union has adapted the model to its demands so as to transform the European economy in order to achieve the goal of climate neutrality. A great responsibility lies with the education system. The Department of Engineering and Management of the Technological Systems (EMTS) from Drobeta-Turnu Severin, permanently concerned with the adaptation of graduates to the requirements of the socio-economic environment, will include in syllabus contents related to the circular economy. One of the department's study programs is Navigation and Maritime and Inland Transport (NMIT). The article presents the result of research on the possibilities of immediate integration of the circular economy model in forming the future naval engineers. Two scenarios are analyzed.