About Iron and Steel Slag


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About Iron and Steel Slag

Types of iron and steel slag
Generation of iron and steel slag
Characteristics and applications of iron and steel slag
Chemical characteristics of iron and steel slag
Iron and steel slag products
Cement
Concrete aggregate
Roads
Civil engineering works and ports/harbors
Ground improvement
Fertilizers
Rock wool
Designation under Law on Promoting Green Purchasing

Designation under Law on Promoting Green Purchasing

Many iron and steel slag products have been highly rated for their superior environmental performance and record of use over many years, and have been included as "designated procurement items" (products that contribute to reducing environmental impact) for public works under the Law Concerning the Promotion of Procurement of Eco-Friendly Goods and Services by the State and Other Entities (Green Purchasing Law) which took effect in 2001. Based on Law on Promoting Green Purchasing, national and local governments are actively working for procurement of these materials, and they are being utilized effectively as materials for civil engineering works in all parts of Japan. As a result, approximately 70% of all iron and steel slag products sold domestically in fiscal year 2007 were used in products that are designated procurement items.

1. List of products involving iron and steel slag that are designated under Law on Promoting Green Purchasing for public works

Designated procurement item Judgment standard Environmental benefits
Blast furnace cement (designated in FY 2001) Portland blast furnace slag cement using more than 30% blast furnace slag
  • Conserves limestone resources.
  • Saves energy.
  • Reduces CO2 emissions.
Blast furnace slag aggregate (designated in FY2002) Blast furnace slag aggregate used as a replacement for natural sand (beach sand, mountain sand), natural gravel, manufactured sand, or crushed stone
  • Protects the natural environment.
  • Reduces the amount of fossil fuels used in stone crushing, and reduces CO2 emissions.
Base course material containing iron and steel slag (designated in FY 2002) Iron and steel slag used as road base course material
  • Protects the natural environment.
Asphalt mixture containing iron and steel slag (designated in FY 2002) Road iron and steel slag aggregate used in hot asphalt
  • Protects the natural environment.
  • Reduces the amount of fossil fuels used in stone crushing, and reduces CO2 emissions.
Rock wool utilizing iron and steel slag as a raw material (designated in FY 2002) Rock wool using 85% or more iron and steel slag
  • Saves energy due to high thermal insulation effects.
  • Replaces asbestos material.
Granulated slag for civil engineering works (designated in FY 2003) Granulated slag for civil engineering works used as a replacement for natural sand (beach sand, mountain sand), natural gravel, manufactured sand, or crushed stone
  • Protects the natural environment.
  • Reduces the amount of fossil fuels used in stone crushing, and reduces CO2 emissions.
Steelmaking slag for ground improvement (designated in FY 2004) Steelmaking slag used as a replacement for natural materials (beach sand, mountain sand) in sand compaction pile work
  • Protects the natural environment.
  • Reduces the amount of fuel used in stone crushing, and reduces CO2 emissions.
Electric arc furnace oxidizing slag aggregate for use in concrete (designated in FY 2005) Electric arc furnace slag aggregate used as a replacement for natural sand (beach sand, mountain sand), natural gravel, manufactured sand, or crushed stone
  • Protects the natural environment.
  • Reduces the amount of fossil fuels used for transporting aggregate and working with heavy concrete, and reduces CO2 emissions.
Iron and steel slag hydrated matrix (designated in FY 2008) Aggregate that uses 50% or more steelmaking slag by weight, and that uses ground granulated blast furnace slag in the binder
  • Protects the natural environment.
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by reducing the amount of cement used.
  • Cleans the oceans and absorbs CO2 as a result of the excellent base it makes for attached marine life such as seaweed and shellfish.

About green purchasing

Green purchasing is the name given to programs that promote environmental consideration in the procurement of supplies.
These programs have been launched by the United Nations and by public agencies in many countries. In Japan, the Law Concerning the Promotion of Procurement of Eco-Friendly Goods and Services by the State and Other Entities (Green Purchasing Law) was enacted in April 2001.

The national government organizes, analyzes, and provides information related to environmental products. It also establishes types of environmental products and criteria standards, and designates products that meet these standards as designated procurement items.

  • Green purchasing is mandatory for the national government and independent administrative corporations.
  • Basic policies related to procurement of environmental products must be formulated by the national government and other bodies.
  • The creation of objectives for purchasing of environmental products is also mandatory.
  • Public disclosure of the general procurement results is required.
  • Local public agencies are also required to make efforts to promote the procurement of environmental products (formulation of policies, establishment of objectives, etc.).

For companies, the requirements of the ISO14001 environmental management system include matters related to green purchasing, and are promoting green purchasing among organizations that have acquired ISO14001.