Using Steel Byproducts for Asphalt... POSCO and Hyundai Steel Join Forces

Utilization of Steelmaking Slag for Highway Asphalt Paving
Memorandum of Understanding between Korea Transport Institute and Construction Recycling Resources Society

POSCO and Hyundai Steel have joined hands to utilize steel by-products.

On the 18th, POSCO announced that it signed a business agreement with Hyundai Steel, Korea Expressway Corporation Road Traffic Research Institute, and the Korean Society of Construction and Recycling Resources to promote the use of steel by-products in highway construction and realize a circular economy.

This agreement was established to strengthen cooperation among the four parties through joint research and technology exchange, including the establishment of quality standards for steelmaking slag aggregates, enabling the use of steelmaking slag in highway asphalt concrete pavement.

POSCO and Hyundai Steel will derive measures to secure and improve the quality of steelmaking slag for asphalt concrete, the Road Traffic Research Institute will assist in revising road pavement standards, and the Korean Society of Construction and Recycling Resources will work on institutional improvements by the Ministry of Environment regarding the use of steelmaking slag.

Steelmaking slag, a by-product generated during the steelmaking process that removes impurities from molten iron and finely adjusts its composition, is a valuable alternative resource with higher strength compared to natural aggregates such as gravel and sand. However, until now, it has only been used as basic aggregate for embankment in road construction projects.

According to Korea Expressway Corporation, demand for highway asphalt pavement is expected to continuously increase, but there is a shortage of first-grade natural aggregates necessary for high-quality highway pavement. Due to the depletion of natural aggregates and road damage caused by increased heavy vehicle traffic and abnormal weather, asphalt pavement using highly durable steelmaking slag is gaining attention.

Starting this year with the first application of steelmaking slag in asphalt road pavement, POSCO is expanding the use of steelmaking slag as aggregate for asphalt concrete. Based on this cooperation, it is expected that the use of steelmaking slag will expand in future new highway construction and road pavement maintenance through stable quality assurance and production of steelmaking slag aggregates.

Jo Nam-min, Director of the Road Traffic Research Institute at Korea Expressway Corporation, said, "Environmentally friendly highway construction is becoming not a choice but a necessity," adding, "We will actively cooperate with academic societies and the private sector to develop highway construction technologies that consider the environment."

Jo Kyung-seok, Head of POSCO’s Environmental Energy Planning Office, said, "POSCO is striving to realize a circular economy society by setting goals for resource recovery of by-products generated during steel production," and added, "We will enhance the quality of steelmaking slag and increase its added value through continuous research and development."