Project description
Slag reuse puts the steel industry on the path to decarbonisation
The steel industry is one of the most energy-intensive, and it is among the largest contributors to carbon emissions. Slag is the primary byproduct of steelmaking that can be used for developing high-quality construction materials. In an effort to reuse steel slag, the EU-funded ECOFER project is supporting the Estonia-based cleantech company of the same name in developing next-generation slag-processing technology that should increase the value of slag more than 20 times. Researchers are developing unprecedented technology that separates metal oxides and heavy metals from the slag. Project implications are major since each tonne of repurposed slag could help save one tonne of CO2 emissions, reduce the need for virgin material and provide technology for zero-waste steelmaking.
Objective
Steelmaking is one of the most important and energy intensive industries globally. Until now the repurposing of steelmaking slag, the main production by-product, has remained low-value, incomplete and has an enormous environmental impact.
Ecofer, an Estonian cleantech company, has developed next generation slag processing technology, which processes the steelmaking slag completely and increases the value slag over 20 times.
This is achieved by recovering 99% of Fe-metal, and providing first technology to separating metal oxides and heavy metals from the slag. The technology is based on proprietary and cutting-edge screening, crushing, milling, fractioning and magnetic separation processes.
The technology will generate new growth and market opportunities for the steelmaking industry, as the low-value of steelmaking slag has been a major industry pain-point for decades. Moreover, Ecofer technology directly supports the lowering CO2 emissions – each ton of repurposed steelmaking slag saves one in ton of CO2 emission, reduces the need for virgin material and provides technology for zero-waste steelmaking.
Ecofer already signed piloting and commercial pre-agreements with large-scale steel-mills from Europe and Middle-East.
During the feasibility study Ecofer will:
• Update the route-to-market strategy and business plan;
• Conduct a freedom-to-operate study;
• Conduct pilot line manufacturability study.
As a result of the Phase-1 study Ecofer is ready for entering final development and market uptake phase, as well fully prepared for SMEI Phase-2.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1Coordinator
11415 TALLIN
Estonia
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.