The aim of this research is to develop a new oxidation inhibitor with a favourable cost/performance ratio. The main idea is to develop this inhibitor from by-products of steel-making such as blast furnace slags. Two phases will be undertaken: 1. the investigation of the most appropriate slag compositions and the assessment of their capability in preventing oxidation; 2. tests of the most promising compositions in an industrial reheating furnace (at Italsider).