The construction materials sector and the metallurgical industry are undergoing a period of rapid transformation. Companies are investing in advanced CO₂‑capture technologies, modernising production processes and expanding the use of slag‑based materials. The role of air‑cooled blast furnace slag (ACS), granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS), cast iron products, pellets and briquettes made from iron‑bearing residues (mill scale) continues to grow, supporting the shift toward more efficient and low‑carbon production models.
Holcim Romania secures EU funding for CO₂‑capture project
Holcim Romania has announced that it has secured European Union funding for a large‑scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) project. The initiative includes the integration of CO₂‑capture technologies at the cement plant and the development of infrastructure for transporting the captured carbon to dedicated storage sites.
The expansion of CCS projects increases demand for GBFS, widely used in low‑carbon cement production. This also encourages metallurgical plants to maintain stable blast furnace operations, ensuring a consistent supply of slag‑forming materials.
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Baltic CCS: advancing CO₂‑transport infrastructure
The Baltic CCS initiative is progressing with plans to develop a new CO₂ terminal for maritime carbon transport. This facility will become a key element of Europe’s emerging decarbonisation infrastructure, enabling cement and metallurgical producers to integrate CO₂‑capture technologies more effectively.
The development of CCS infrastructure indirectly affects the ACS and GBFS markets, as plants adopting CO₂‑capture technologies simultaneously increase the share of slag‑based materials in their production processes.
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Impact on metallurgy: cast iron, pellets and briquettes
Growing demand for slag‑based materials is encouraging metallurgical producers to:
- stabilise cast iron output,
- increase production of pellets for blast furnace operations,
- expand the use of mill‑scale briquettes, reducing metal losses and improving smelting efficiency.
These developments support a circular‑economy model in which metallurgical by‑products become valuable feedstock for construction materials manufacturing.
Conclusion
The expansion of CCS projects, rising demand for GBFS and ACS, and the modernisation of metallurgical processes are creating new opportunities for producers and strengthening the region’s position in the transition to a low‑carbon economy.