In addition to energy-rich gases, a number of other byproducts are formed during the Group’s steel production, for example slag, tar, crude benzene, sulphur and ammonium sulphate. The work of handling the by-products is based primarily on recycling them in the Group’s own processes. In this way, iron can be recovered or slag formers such as lime can be used once more. Alternatively, the by-products are sold, preferably in processed form as products with specific qualities. In most cases, the environmental performance of these products is superior to that of traditional materials, especially when seen from a life cycle perspective. The by-products and waste which cannot or should not be used are deposited. Depositing takes place in such a manner that it is possible to use these resources also in the future. At present, 90% of by-products are processed and recycled.

 

As a result of the very exact process control in steel production, the by-products are also very well defined, which facilitates use of them.

 

SSAB Merox specialises in developing products based on by-products from the steel operations. Among other things, slag from blast furnaces is used to produce cement and the concrete materials, Merit 5000 and Merolit, crushed aggregate for stabilisation of, e.g. clay, gravel roads and riding tracks, as well as M-kalk, an organic plant fertiliser. Iron oxide is sold for the manufacture of ferrite magnets and is included as red pigment in, among other things, matchsticks.