Project description
Turning steel waste into low-carbon cement
Electric arc furnace (EAF) slag, a by-product of steel production, is often discarded – despite its untapped potential. With this in mind, the EIC-funded ECO-SLAG-CEM project is finding new value in this industrial waste by transforming it into high-performance, low-carbon cement. With the cement and steel sectors together responsible for around 14 % of global CO2 emissions, the project aims to cut emissions by enhancing the reactivity of EAF slag through high-temperature treatments and bio-based activation systems. These binders could replace declining supplies of traditional granulated blast furnace slag. By ensuring environmental safety and durability, ECO-SLAG-CEM supports a circular economy, reduces waste, and strengthens the sustainability and competitiveness of Europe’s cement and steel industries.
Objective
"The ECO-SLAG-CEM project aims to develop high-performance, low-carbon cements using modified Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) slag. The project addresses the significant CO2 emissions from the cement and steel industries, which together account for approximately 14% of global CO2 emissions. The primary objective is to enhance the reactivity of EAF slag through high-temperature treatments and bio-based activation systems, enabling the formulation of high-performance, low-carbon binders to replace the declining availability of granulated blast furnace slag (GBS).To achieve this, the project follows a twofold approach: high-temperature treatments to increase the intrinsic reactivity of EAF slags and the development of tailor-made activation systems, including the use of bio-based chelatants to pre-treat slags and accelerate hydration. A further focus of the project is the presence and mobility of Fe and heavy metals to ensure durability and compliance with environmental standards. The relevance to the work program lies in its alignment with the Horizon Europe Pathfinder Challenge ""Towards cement and concrete as a carbon sink."" The project aims to develop low-carbon binder technologies, optimize clinker reduction, and provide valuable data on the structure and behavior of Fe-bearing slags. By valorizing EAF slag, the project supports the decarbonization of the cement industry and adds value to the steel production process, making it easier to adopt globally and boosting the competitiveness of European steel production. The project involves collaboration between various partners, including universities, research institutes, and industry players, ensuring a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach. The expected outcomes include the development of treatment strategies for EAF slags, the introduction of bio-based accelerators, and the formulation of high-performance hydraulic binders, contributing to the sustainability and competitiveness of the EU cement & steel industries."
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.3.1 - The European Innovation Council (EIC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-EIC - HORIZON EIC Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-EIC-2024-PATHFINDERCHALLENGES-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
D03 E0C0 DUBLIN
Ireland
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.