RE-WHITE – “Sustainable transformation of white slag from secondary metallurgy into resources” – has now entered its operational phase. The industrial research project is funded by Regione Lombardia under the “Collabora & Innova” call (PR FESR 2021–2027).
The project is led by Duferco Group through its subsidiary Duferco Travi e Profilati di Pallanzeno, together with Ori Martin, the University of Brescia, Resilco, GAP and Gruppo Gatti. Heidelberg Materials Italia and Novotema are involved as technical stakeholders.
From waste to secondary raw material
The 27-month project aims to develop innovative technologies for the recovery and reuse of white slag from steelmaking, which is currently largely sent to landfill.
The objective is to transform it into a secondary raw material for steel production, cement and concrete, as well as for polymer applications and environmental processes.
In recent weeks, validation activities have started on two complementary technological lines. The work is carried out through close cooperation between companies and the University of Brescia. It includes pilot trials, physico-chemical analyses and environmental assessments.
Two innovative technologies
The first technology, WSR Innovation, developed by GAP in cooperation with Duferco Travi e Profilati, involves the installation of an innovative plant at the Duferco site in the province of Brescia.
The process treats ladle furnace slag immediately after secondary metallurgy. It prevents pulverisation and makes the material suitable for reuse in the steelmaking cycle as a partial substitute for lime.
The second line, developed by Resilco with the involvement of Ori Martin, is based on accelerated carbonation. This technology transforms slag into stable materials capable of permanently storing CO₂, contributing to emission reduction.
Applications and environmental benefits
The treated slag will be tested in several applications, including clinker and blended cement production, structural concrete and industrial flooring, fillers for elastomeric compounds, and environmental uses such as pollutant adsorption.
The project is based in the heart of the Lombardy steel district, where slag management represents a significant industrial and environmental challenge. RE-WHITE aims to turn this challenge into an opportunity by promoting industrial symbiosis and reducing the extraction of natural raw materials, CO₂ emissions and landfill disposal.
As Rosario Tornello, Director of the T.P.P. Duferco steel plant, states: “RE-WHITE is a clear example of how technological innovation and circular economy can deliver environmental benefits and create new development opportunities for the local area.”