Transforming Steel and Ferroalloy Slags into High-Value Metals and Sustainable Cement (Slag2Value)
Purpose and goal
The Slag2Value project aims to establish a sustainable, circular, and reliable supply of strategic metals and cementitious materials from underutilized steel slag, including FeCr, BOF, high- and low-alloy EAF slags. The project directly tackles critical challenges by recovering strategic metals and reducing CO₂ emissions from cement production. Ultimately, the project seeks to foster synergies between the steel, ferroalloys, and cement sectors, enhancing innovation and resource efficiency.
Expected effects and result
This project tackles both environmental challenges and resource opportunities in the steel and ferroalloy sectors. Its primary objective is to recover valuable metals from non-valorized slags while conditioning these slags for use as ingredients in supplementary cementitious materials applicable in cement production. Through these efforts, the project directly supports the EU climate targets, enhances resource efficiency strategies, and contributes to the advancement of the circular economy.
Planned approach and implementation
The project will start with mapping and characterizing four slag types: BOF, low-alloy EAF, high-alloy EAF, and FeCr slag. Thermodynamic modeling will simulate reduction and slag modification to optimize metal extraction and produce cement-compatible slags. Following successful lab/tech trials, pilot-scale tests will validate scalability and recovery efficiency. A techno-economic analysis will assess feasibility, ensuring that solutions are ready for commercialization.
The text has been written by the project team. The content is copied from the funding agency’s website and has not been reviewed by the Program Office.