Conserving resources

A distinguishing feature of steel as a material is the extraordinarily high degree to which it can be recycled. Additionally, the byproducts of steel manufacture, such as slag, also have a variety of different uses.

Slag, a byproduct of pig iron production, is an industrially produced artificial aggregate. A total of 80 percent of the blast furnace slag is processed in a granulating facility to produce ground granulated blast furnace slag. This slag is used in cement production and eliminates one of the baking processes, so reducing CO₂ emissions. Other steel mill slag is used in road construction and as fertilizer. The lime extracted when softening drinking water to create process water can be used as agricultural fertilizer.

Did you know?

Steel is also said to be an eternal material as it can be recycled again and again without any loss in quality. Perhaps the wind turbine in your vicinity was once a car body?

A contribution to conserving resources

Salzgitter Flachstahl consequently operates its own water treatment plant. This treatment plant softens drinking water to create process water. The lime extracted is used in agricultural fertilizer.

Would you like to learn more about other environmental projects? You will find more information here.