State-of-the-art Processing Solutions of Steelmaking Residuals

A circular economy is one of the important pillars for a sustainable iron and steel industry. Solid and sludgy residuals from steelmaking processes represent secondary resources with considerable amounts of valuable materials such as metals and minerals. Therefore, several treatment technologies for dusts and sludges target material recovery. Nowadays, European steel producers reach a by-product recycling rate of more than 90% (including onsite recycling and residual utilization performed by external companies). The main benefits are a lower demand for primary resources and a reduced landfill volume as well as economic savings for steel plant operators. The current article gives an overview of the amounts of steelmaking residuals generated in Europe and describes the integrated DK recycling route, which represents one industrial-scale state-of-the-art treatment technology.