SSAB and Heidelberg Materials are launching a four-year research collaboration to develop electric arc furnace (EAF) slag into a supplementary cementitious material, aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of the construction sector. 

The project has secured over SEK 20 million in funding through the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth via the Just Transition Fund with national co-financing. 

Building on a long-standing partnership, the initiative brings together academic expertise from Luleå University of Technology, the University of Oulu, and Swerim, alongside both industry partners, to form a strong research consortium. 

The project will focus on optimizing slag processing methods from lab to pilot scale, with the ultimate goal of creating an industrially scalable solution for cement and concrete applications. 

This collaboration aligns with SSAB's broader circular economy ambitions as the company transitions to EAF production across its facilities in Oxelösund, Luleå, and Raahe, Finland, beginning as early as 2027.