First International Conference on Steel Slag Road jointly organized by CSIR-CRRI (Central Road Research Institute) and PHDCCI( PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry) at New-Delhi, 

• It released the Guidelines for Utilization and Processing of Steel Slag as Processed Steel Slag Aggregates in Road Construction.

Steel Slag

Steel Slag is a by-product of steel making, produced during the separation of the molten steel from impurities in steel-making furnaces. 

• The slag occurs as a molten liquid melt and is a complex solution of silicates and oxides that solidifies upon cooling.
• Uses of Steel Slag: It is used as an aggregate and is considered a standard practice with applications that include its use in granular base, embankments, engineered fill, highway shoulders, and hot mix asphalt pavement.
  • Steel slag can be used in the agricultural sector:  It has the ability to correct soil acidity. 
    • In fact, developed countries like Japan, the USA have taken the lead in making fertilisers using steel-making slag.

Steel Slag Road Technology

The Steel Slag Road Technology has been developed by the Central Road Research Institute under a research project in collaboration with the Ministry of Steel, Government of India and four major steel manufacturing companies of the country

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• Advantages:
  • Eco-friendly waste management:
    • Utilises steel slag waste in road construction, providing an environmentally friendly solution.
    • Reduces landfill burden and environmental impact from steel slag disposal.

• • Cost-effective and long-lasting:
    • Steel slag roads are approximately 30 per cent cheaper to construct than traditional paving methods.
    • These roads are highly durable and weather-resistant, leading to significantly lower maintenance costs.
  • Minimising natural resource depletion:
    • Reduces the reliance on natural ballast and aggregates, conserving valuable resources.
    • Helps preserve natural ecosystems by eliminating the need for traditional road construction materials.
  • Managing steel slag waste:
    • India produces around 19 million tonnes of steel slag annually, expected to reach 60 million tonnes by 2030.
    • Inefficient disposal methods have led to large slag piles around steel plants, causing pollution.
  • Challenging terrain success: Border Roads Organisation (BRO), in collaboration with CRRI and Tata Steel, constructed a steel slag road in Arunachal Pradesh, showcasing the technology’s suitability for difficult terrains and essential infrastructure.
  • “Waste to Wealth”: This technology is making significant contributions to realize the vision of “Waste to Wealth”. 

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