●GBFS (Granulated Blast Furnace Slag) is a steel by-product that can be used as a raw material in the cement production process
● Usage of GBFS can achieve reduction of CO2 emissions and enhance cement binding properties
● Holcim Trading & Shipping moves across the Seas significant volumes of raw materials.
In an era demanding sustainable solutions and resource efficiency, circular construction isn’t abstract theory; it’s an urgent necessity. Among the most compelling examples of carbon reduction in the construction industry is the use of Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GBFS), a byproduct of steel production, which is globally traded as a raw material to decarbonize cement.
GBFS is produced in steel plants when molten iron-ore slag cools rapidly in water, converting it into a hydraulic material rich in calcium silicates, perfectly suited for cementitious use. Historically, blast-furnace slag often ended up in landfills, representing a lost resource and an environmental burden for steelmakers. Today, GBFS emerges as a highly effective supplementary cementitious material. Its application is particularly impactful in substituting clinker in cement.
Clinker, as the backbone of cement, is responsible for about 60–70 % of the CO₂ emissions during the cement production process. By incorporating GBFS into the cement production, we achieve a reduction in the CO₂ footprint of the final product as well as reducing the need for virgin raw material extraction. This not only contributes directly to decarbonization efforts within the cement industry but also provides a vital outlet for the steel industry’s by-products, actively preventing them from being disposed of.
Beyond its crucial environmental benefits, GBFS also enables the creation of specialty cement products and solutions with enhanced properties, such as improved durability and reduced heat of hydration. This demonstrates how embracing circularity drives ecological progress and economic advantage, fostering the development of high-performance, sustainable construction materials that empower societies with smarter infrastructure.
Holcim Trading & Shipping plays a fundamental role in facilitating this circular flow. Asia, with a high steel industrial scale generates large volumes of the material. Europe’s increasing demand, driven by stricter CO₂ regulations and sustainable infrastructure policies, aligns perfectly with this supply. Cement production requires more than local recycling, it demands sophisticated global sourcing. GBFS exemplifies this: what was once a steel sector by-product becomes a powerful substitute for clinker, significantly cutting CO₂ emissions and landfill usage, thanks to effective resource allocation. The result is premium construction materials with lower carbon footprints, reinforcing the value of trade as a potent tool for circular, climate-positive infrastructure, and ultimately, building the world we want to live in.