New slag granulation facilities in Salzgitter

On the grounds of Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH, the construction materials manufacturer Holcim (Deutschland) AG and Schwenk Zement KG presented a slag granulation facility for Blast Furnace A to the general public. The two companies put down an investment sum of € 25 million and founded the joint company Hüttensand Salzgitter GmbH & Co. KG.

The slag is a secondary raw material arising in the production of crude iron in the blast furnace. With the help of water, the new facility processes slag to produce cinder sand. This material finds use in cement manufacture, where it replaces natural raw materials such as marl and chalk. Hans Fischer, Executive Board Member of Salzgitter AG, is very pleased with the cooperation: "The bundling of the competences of all participants has proved successful." Karl Gernandt, Chairman of the Holcim AG Management Board, emphasized the ecological benefits of the facilities: "The utilization of cinder slag in cement manufacture translates as savings of up to 800 kilograms C0² per ton of cement."

As Michael Müller, parlamentary undersecretary of the Federal Environmental Ministry, stated: "Here in Germany, we need intelligent products. These facilities represent a valuable contribution towards the future.“