On Wednesday, Union Steel Minister Shri Ram Chandra Prasad Singh inaugurated India’s first road constructed entirely from a specially designed slag, a by-product of steel manufacturing, produced by ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) – a joint venture between ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel.
The 1 km six-lane road in Surat was constructed using around 1 lakh tonnes of processed steel slag from AM/NS India’s Hazira manufacturing plant, which was developed in collaboration with the Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) – a laboratory of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
This is part of the national project by the Ministry of Steel, Government of India, to conduct scientific research on the uses of steel slag in road construction, with AM/NS India opting to be an industry partner to the initiative.
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“The project is a milestone where it comes to India’s commitment to recycle and reuse by-products from its steelmaking operations. As India’s steel industry grows, so too must industrial innovation that ensures sustainable, circular manufacturing growth.” Subsequently, the Minister visited AM/NS India’s plant as well as expansion sites.
Elaborating further, Dilip Oommen, CEO, AM/NS India, stated: “This will be an alternative to natural aggregates in road construction. Not only is it of international quality standards and cost competitive, it also reduces the burden on natural resources. Part of the Waste to Wealth and Clean India Campaign, the first-of-its-kind initiative not only validates our quest to contribute to a circular economy, but also sets a new benchmark for others to emulate.”
The new road has proven to be an important transport corridor in Surat district, with 1,000 to 1,200 heavy commercial vehicles using it to transport goods to and from Hazira port each day. The durability of the road also demonstrates the potential for this innovative, recycled material to be used in road and highway construction across India.
AM/NS also bagged the first steel slag supply order for a national highway project. The contract by National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is for the construction of a 36.93 km eight-lane access-controlled stretch from Ena to Kim in Surat. The stretch is a part of the upcoming Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway. The initial order is for the supply of 1 lakh tonnes of steel slag. Ten trucks carrying the first consignment of 350 tonnes’ steel slag were flagged off at AM/NS India, Hazira last week.
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