Saint-Gobain and SSAB are collaborating on a groundbreaking circular economy project in Raahe, Finland, to recycle steelmaking slag into low-carbon binders for construction. The joint effort, under development for five years, involves a new slag processing plant set to be completed in 2025.
The facility will transform 100pct of SSAB’s steelmaking slag into alternative binders, reducing their carbon footprint by up to 90pct compared to traditional cement.
The process, the first of its kind globally, includes sorting slag to separate metals, about two-thirds of the material, which will be returned to SSAB’s production. The remaining slag will be used by Saint-Gobain for low-carbon binders in its dry mortar products, ensuring zero waste.
Binders are materials that serve as bonding agents, and when combined with aggregate and water, they form mortar. This mortar is used to join masonry units, providing both structural integrity and decorative appeal to buildings.
