The cement and slag industries are undergoing several significant shifts: a breakthrough in alternative fuel use at Holcim’s plant in Poland, a strategic partnership between Tata Steel and Ecocem on steel‑slag‑based cements, and major public investment by Germany in industrial carbon capture and storage (CCS).
Against this backdrop, interest is growing in secondary cementitious materials, particularly ACS (air‑cooled slag) and GBFS (granulated blast furnace slag), which are becoming essential tools for reducing the carbon footprint.
Holcim Małogoszcz achieves 100% alternative fuel substitution
Holcim Polska and Geocycle successfully conducted a test in which the Małogoszcz plant operated its clinker kiln for several days using only alternative fuels, reaching 100% thermal substitution.
This marks an important step toward producing cements with higher clinker substitution, where ACS and GBFS significantly reduce CO₂ emissions and improve mix efficiency.
Tata Steel and Ecocem sign agreement on steel‑slag cements
Tata Steel IJmuiden and Ecocem have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop new generations of steelmaking slags for low‑carbon cements, mortars and concretes.
The partnership includes:
- development of BOF slag as an SCM
- research into EAF slag
- continued work with GBFS, already one of the most effective clinker‑replacement materials
This collaboration strengthens the role of GBFS and ACS in next‑generation low‑carbon cement technologies.
Germany makes a major push for industrial CCS
Germany is launching a €5 billion Carbon Contracts for Difference (CCfD) programme to decarbonise energy‑intensive industries, including cement.
The programme supports:
- electrification
- hydrogen technologies
- CCS/CCU
- deep CO₂ reductions (50% within 4 years, 85% within 15 years)
For the cement sector, this opens the door to scaling up cements with high clinker substitution, where GBFS and ACS play a central role.
Summary
- Holcim demonstrates a breakthrough with 100% alternative fuel use, enabling higher use of secondary materials.
- Tata Steel and Ecocem expand the use of steel‑slag‑based SCMs, including GBFS and ACS.
- Germany launches one of Europe’s largest CCS support programmes, accelerating the shift to low‑carbon cement.