Why
SLAG2BUILD?
01.
Based on the historical data provided by partners, the Consortium will:
i) define the reference scenario for the current EU situation in terms of LFS handling treatments and destination;
2) identify any relevant existing standards providing a picture of the current state-of-the-art and therefore a European benchmark for LFS handling,
3) assess the physic-chemical properties of the slag before and after granulation
02.
The basic and detailed design of the first demonstration plant (TRL8) will be carried out to ensure the granulation of more than 2,500 t LFS and the achievement of the operational capacity (60 t/h) by the end of the project. The installation and set-up of all facilities (slag pot, reheating station, pot pouring, granulated slag collection and storage silos) will be completed at STOMANA site, ensuring the integration of the granulation unit with the current steelmaking process. An experimental campaign is foreseen in order to define and optimize operational parameters.
03.
The produced granulated LFS will be used as a replacement of the binder phase in Supplementary Cementitious materials and mortars (e.g. ad binding phase), replacing part of virgin raw materials. The final products will be extensively tested to check their performance and, finally, certified where applicable.
Carmeuse aims to produce up to 7,000 t of LFS-based products (SCM & mortars) to be used for promotional purposes, supporting the market introduction soon after the project conclusion. The main commercialization channel is represented by the building material retailers, being a point of contact between producers and end users.
04.
The LFS can have slightly different composition depending on the different steel production routes and steel grades, and that might affect the solidification pathway and consequently the efficiency of the Slag2Build technology. To turn this potential issue into an opportunity, targeted replicability tests will be carried out. These tests will be carried out using the LFS granulation demo plant in LME and with the LFS from Celsa granulated using the pilot lab granulation facility at RINA-CSM.
05.
The Consortium will perform the LCA and LCC analysis considering the whole value chain ranging from produced slag during steelmaking operations, further treatments (granulation, sieving, transportation) production to the end uses (utilization in the cement mix) as illustrated above. The scope of this analysis is to compare the “standard” production of cement with the new formulations using granulated slags in the input mix.
06.
Specific business plans will be drafted depending on the characteristics of the granulated LFS and the stakeholders involved.
Steel producers: conversion of LFS into a market valuable product and associated significant savings from reduction/elimination of landfilling/disposal costs;
Technology providers: market opportunities linked to the installation of the new granulation plants in BF, EAF, and, possibly, DRI-based steel production sites;
End users: Marketing of SCM, mortars, and hydraulic road binders with lower carbon footprint since they are produced by avoiding the mining and calcination of virgin CaCO3 and, in general, lower utilization of virgin raw materials, improved market positioning with greener products related to the use of a fully recycled ingredient to replace the PC in their formulations.
07.
The Digital Product Passport will be designed to collect and share data about cement products and the supply chain across the entire value chain (taking into account the utilization of LFS). The Digital Product Passport will enable all stakeholders, including consumers, to gain a deeper understanding of the materials used in product and their associated environmental impacts. This will make the production compliant with the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and the Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP).