In October 2024, EIT RawMaterials conducted a targeted survey involving two European industry associations and two steel producers to assess the perceived need for standardisation of scrap and slag materials. The findings revealed a complex landscape: while there was some interest in harmonising standards at the European level, previous attempts to establish a European Standard for ferrous scrap had been rejected by expert groups, citing the existence of divergent national standards and the sufficiency of end-user specifications. For slag, stakeholders highlighted the significant variability in chemical composition, driven by differences in raw material impurities and production processes, which makes standardisation particularly challenging. Both associations and steelmakers generally saw little need for new standards, though one indicated willingness to participate in future initiatives, especially if distinctions between different slag types (LD converter, EAF-carbon, EAF-stainless) were made.
Building on these insights, the RISERS Working Group 04 – Steel, Slag & Refractories convened throughout 2025 to develop a roadmap for industrial symbiosis standardisation, focusing on slag, scrap and refractories. The group identified that waste streams from steel production, such as BOF and EAF slags and spent refractories, hold significant potential for use in construction, cement, asphalt and agriculture, supporting circular economy objectives. However, the group also recognised persistent barriers: high variability in material composition, lack of harmonised European standards, inconsistent legal definitions (waste vs. by-product), and fragmented regulatory frameworks. These issues hinder cross-border use, market uptake and stakeholder confidence.
The RISERS group outlined several key benefits of advancing standardisation:
- Resource efficiency: Valorising slags and refractories reduces demand for virgin raw materials and landfill use.
- Environmental impact: Substituting primary materials with by-products lowers CO₂ emissions and supports EU climate goals.
- Economic opportunity: Creating markets for secondary materials enhances supply chain resilience and fosters innovation.
To unlock these benefits, the group formulated a set of recommendations:
- Regulatory clarity: Harmonise the legal status of by-products and waste and align end-of-waste criteria across Member States.
- Standardisation initiatives: Standardisation initiatives: Develop and align European standards for characterisation, processing and performance of ferrous slags, spent refractories and steel scrap to ensure consistent quality, safety and environmental compliance across Member States. This includes harmonised assessment and testing methodologies; dedicated processing and treatment standards for ferrous slags; product standards for processed slags and recycled refractories; and harmonised classification and quality criteria, using performance-based approaches to manage material variability and ensure harmonised use across Member States.
- Policy alignment: Integrate requirements across key legislative frameworks (REACH, Construction Products Regulation, Circular Economy Act and Waste Shipment Regulation) and incentivise the use of low-carbon, circular materials through public procurement.
- Technical infrastructure: Invest in robust traceability systems, advanced sorting technologies and collaborative industrial clusters to facilitate material flows and quality assurance.
The roadmap also emphasises the importance of mutual recognition of test results, cross-border cooperation, and the gradual transition from national to fully harmonised EU standards. By addressing these challenges and implementing the recommended actions, Europe can accelerate the circular use of steel industry by-products, contributing to both sustainability and industrial competitiveness.
Alina Racu
EIT-Raw Materials
