The construction industry is one of the largest in the world, and cement and concrete are literally the building blocks of its success. Evolving from prehistoric caves to today’s towering skyscrapers, concrete structures have and will continue to be vital components of modern civilization, providing long-lasting, reliable support for buildings, roads, bridges, tunnels and dams. So much so that concrete is the most consumed material on Earth, second only to water, while the steel used to reinforce it is by far the most commonly used metal. But this doesn’t come without high environmental costs: concrete accounts for 8% of global CO2 emissions, much of which come from the extraction and transportation of aggregate materials such as sand, gravel and crushed stone.
A big part of building healthier cities is making concrete more sustainable, but this comes with many challenges. Stopping concrete production is simply not possible, and replacing it entirely is more of a long-term approach that still seems out of reach. So, today it is rather about finding ways to decrease the environmental effects of the material without compromising its high performance. But where to look? Recent research suggests that one solution may be found in recycled industrial waste, particularly in a by-product of steel-making referred to as steel slag. Below, we will unveil its promising potential in the architecture and construction industry.
