Global Slag News

Ukraine/EU: Ukraine's exports of granulated slag to the EU increased by 53% to 370,000t in 2023. Kyiv-based Recycling Solutions contributed 330,000t (89%) of this total, marking a 48% increase from 2022.

Vadym Khoroshko said "We managed to attract new customers and expand the sales market, despite the fact that the European construction sector is going through a period of crisis. Europe lacks its own similar raw materials, and Ukraine can meet the demand of European manufacturers. For us, this is an opportunity to support the national economy and ensure the flow of foreign currency to the country."

Denmark: Building products company IBF says that it will replace some cement in all of its drainage products with ground granulated blast furnace slag. Dagbladet Licitationen News has reported that performance and prices will be unaffected, according to the company.

CEO Jesper Bang said that trials will commence with a few specific drainage products, prior to full roll-out. This will eventually result in a 40% drop in the products’ CO₂ emissions.

US: St Marys Cement won three national awards at the Slag Cement in Sustainable Concrete Awards 2023. The producer won the awards for supplying its slag cement for the construction of Wixom Assembly Park in Wixom, Michigan; of 333 North Water in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and of Excellerate Manufacturing in Appleton, Wisconsin.

US: Eagle Materials and Heidelberg Materials North America, through their joint venture Texas Lehigh Cement Company, are currently building a new slag cement plant in Houston, Texas. When operational, the plant will have a production capacity of 500,000t/yr. Texas Lehigh Cement Company expects it to enter operation later in mid-2024. The plant's production will supplement that of the company's existing Buda cement plant in Texas.

China: A new study from Hong Kong Polytechnic University showcases sustainable cement production methods, focusing on low-clinker cements and alternative solutions for incinerator fly ash (IFA). The research demonstrates that using carbonated-washed IFA mixed with slag, coal fly ash, or metakaolin can replace 60% of Portland cement, forming ternary blended cement. This approach reportedly reduces the carbon footprint of cement production.

The study found that slag was the most effective,improving pore structure and increasing ettringite and hemicarboaluminate formation with a blend of 40% slag and 20% IFA. It achieved 90% of the compressive strength of pure Portland cement after 90 days.

The researchers said "This study demonstrated the promising potential of the blended cements to simultaneously divert IFA from landfills and reduce the clinker content of cement."