A Review of Circular Economy Prospects for Stainless Steelmaking Slags

What is it about?

Stainless steelmaking slags contain high-value elements (Cr, Ni, Mo, Ti, V…) as oxides or in metallic form, some of them being environmentally problematic if dumped. Nowadays, only a minor fraction of these slags is utilized and a major part goes to landfilling. Thus, any approach toward circular economy solutions for stainless steel slags would have great economic and environmental impacts. This contribution examines the slags from different process stages, and the available and new potential means to increase internal recycling and to modify slags composition and structure by optimizing their properties for reclaiming in high-value applications.

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Why is it important?

The paper highlights eventual methods, e.g., fast controlled cooling and modifying additives to optimize the slag`s chemical, physical, and mechanical properties for potential applications. Means to recover valuable metals are discussed as well. By integrating the treatments and steering of slags′ properties to the total process optimization system, the principles of circular economy could be achieved.

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