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NEW DELHI/MUMBAI, JULY 25, 2025
ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) has become the first company in the country to secure a license for the cutting-edge steel slag valorisation technology developed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI). This pioneering partnership marks a significant step toward sustainable infrastructure by enabling the use of processed steel slag aggregates as a substitute for natural aggregates in road construction.
The licensed technology, titled “Steel Slag Valorization Technology for Development of Processed EAF Steel Slag Aggregates at AM/NS India Plant in Hazira for Utilization in Road Construction,” allows AM/NS India to process steel slag at its flagship facility in Hazira, Gujarat. These processed aggregates will be used in the construction of more durable, cost-effective roads, significantly advancing India’s “Waste-to-Wealth” initiative.
AM/NS India currently produces specially engineered slag under the brand name AM/NS Aakar, which meets CSIR-CRRI’s rigorous technical specifications and quality standards. The processed slag aggregates have demonstrated superior durability and cost-efficiency compared to conventional materials. With an annual generation of approximately 1.7 million tonnes of steel slag, AM/NS India is now equipped to repurpose this by-product through scientifically validated methods.
Dr. Satish Pandey, Senior Principal Scientist at CSIR-CRRI and inventor of the technology, commented: “Steel slag road technology is a game-changer for India’s infrastructure. The country generates over 19 million tonnes of steel slag annually, and its untreated use can compromise structural integrity. This license enables AM/NS India—our partner in building the country’s first ‘all steel slag road’—to manufacture and distribute scientifically processed slag aggregates for road construction.”
Ranjan Dhar, Director and Vice President – Sales & Marketing, AM/NS India, said: “We are honoured to be the first to receive this license, further building on our success in constructing what is likely the world’s first one-kilometre, six-lane road made entirely from steel slag—a feat recognised by the India and Asia Book of Records. This milestone underscores our commitment to circular economy principles by repurposing steelmaking by-products and aligns with the Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji’s ‘Waste to Wealth’ mission.”
Scientifically processed steel slag offers considerable advantages over traditional road materials. Roads constructed using this material are 30–40% more cost-effective and can last up to three times longer, significantly reducing maintenance requirements. Their superior strength makes them ideal for a wide range of environments, from coastal regions to rugged terrains.
Recognising the environmental and durability concerns posed by unprocessed slag, CSIR-CRRI was tasked by the Ministry of Steel to conduct extensive research into its sustainable use in road construction. AM/NS India joined the initiative, culminating in India’s first all-steel slag road in Hazira, inaugurated in 2022 by then Union Steel Minister Ram Chandra Prasad Singh.
Following that success, the world’s first coastal steel slag road was built inside a private port in Hazira. Another notable project, the NH-53 Diamond Bourse Road in Surat, also utilized AM/NS Aakar aggregates.
As India’s steel production is projected to reach 300 million tonnes by FY 2030–31, steel slag generation is expected to increase to 60 million tonnes annually. In response, the Ministry of Steel is actively promoting steel slag road technology in collaboration with the Ministries of Science & Technology and Road Transport & Highways to support its widespread adoption.
This initiative forms a key part of India’s circular economy ambitions, expected to create a market worth over $2 trillion and generate nearly 10 million jobs by 2050.
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