The European cement and metallurgy markets are undergoing significant transformation, directly affecting the segment of air‑cooled blast furnace slag (ACS) and granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS). Cement producers are strengthening cooperation with steelmakers, while EU policy continues to encourage the wider use of secondary raw materials in construction.
Hoffmann Green expands the use of low‑carbon cement
French company Hoffmann Green Cement Technologies has announced a new partnership aimed at scaling up the use of low‑carbon cements across Europe. The company actively incorporates GBFS into its clinker‑free technologies, significantly reducing the carbon footprint of construction materials.
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Heidelberg Materials reduces clinker production in Sweden
Heidelberg Materials has decided to scale down clinker production at its Skövde plant in Sweden. The company is transitioning to cements with a higher share of secondary materials, particularly GBFS, in line with the EU’s decarbonisation strategy. Lower clinker content increases demand for granulated blast furnace slag, which provides essential binding properties.
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Cement producers support EU ETS reform
A group of leading European cement manufacturers has published an open letter supporting the reform of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). They emphasise that the transition to low‑carbon cements — including GBFS‑based products — requires stable access to slag materials and predictable EU regulatory policy.
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Impact on ACS and GBFS markets
These developments are shaping a new dynamic in the European slag market:
- Rising demand for GBFS, as cement producers increasingly replace clinker with slag‑based materials.
- ACS remains essential in road construction, especially in regions with active infrastructure development.
- European steelmakers gain incentives to stabilise blast furnace operations, as slag becomes a strategic raw material for the cement industry.