EU recycled 92% of steel slag in 2024 – EUROSLAG

In 2024, 38 million tons of steel slag were produced in the European Union, of which 35 million tons, or 92%, were used in industry and construction. The relevant data is provided by the EUROSLAG association.

Blast furnace slag accounted for the largest share – 21.5 million tons – with 100% reuse. About 20 million tons of the product was processed into granulated slag for the cement industry, and another 1.5 million tons was used as filler for concrete and road construction.

Last year, the EU received 16.5 million tons of steel slag. Of these, 13.5 million tons (82%) were used, including 9 million tons in road construction, 2 million tons in building construction, 0.8 million tons in fertilizer production, 1.6 million tons in metallurgical processes, and 0.1 million tons in other areas.

According to EUROSLAG estimates, the reuse of steel slag prevented the extraction of 40 million tons of natural stone and avoided 11.4 million tons of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere last year alone.

In the long term, the industry’s contribution is even more significant. From 2000 to 2024, slag processing saved about 1.21 billion tons of natural stone and reduced CO2 emissions by 319 million tons.

It should be noted that in 2024, the Ukrainian company Recycling Solutions, which specializes in the strategic management of by-products and waste, increased its sales of ash and slag materials and steel slag by 34% compared to 2023, to 1.86 million tons. Export volumes doubled, with supplies to the EU reaching 889,500 tons (+135% y/y).