Abstract
As the steelmaking industry shifts towards decarbonization, the confluence of several different trends will impact the nature of EAF slag. It is anticipated that the volume of slag produced will increase substantially and there will be a fundamental change in the composition, particularly in terms of homogeneity and increased levels of FeO.
EAF slags are currently considered to be a low-value waste product and are either sold as construction aggregate or sent to landfill. At this time, there are no practical, economical means of extracting potentially useful minerals or the iron content of the slag. However, current slag management practices will not be acceptable in the future as we move towards a circular economy.
A truly sustainable steel industry will require revalorization of EAF slags as a source of useful minerals with potential use in other industries.
Issues under consideration include: the increased use of ore-based metallics, declining availability of high-grade iron ore, eventual adoption of H2-DRI, and increased steel production via the EAF route and their impact on the global slag supply.