Connections - May 2022

Vol 24 | Issue 1 | May 2022

| www.asa-inc.org.au

EDITORIAL

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2022 JUST GOT A WHOLE LOT BETTER.

This year has been a whirlwind. In just a few months, so much has happened. It appears I was writing the editorial for last year’s edition so long ago, after having been consumed with countless success stories from our members since this year began. That being said, I hope as per usual you have your coffee and glasses ready so you can catch up on what you might’ve missed so far, in this half of 2022.

The next story looks at a very hot topic since the COP26 conference last year, which is dramatically changing our industry; the transition to Net-Zero and decarbonisation. Specifically, this is a feature story on SteelPhalt, a Harsco company that has been recycling and using the slag in the UK since 1963.

We look at where they started, and how their business has boomed as the demand for eco-building materials has increased. Not one to miss!

Next, we shine a light on our neighbour, BlueScope Steel who recently received the ResponsibleSteel (RS) certification, creating a valuable point of difference for the company and its Port Kembla site. BlueScope’s Port Kembla Steelworks (PKSW) is the first site in the Asia Pacific region and the fourth steelmaker in the world to receive certification. Make sure you read up on this one to see what it took to get this secured and what it means below!

One of the ASA’s contacts over in Germany has just provided a copy of a recent Slag research report that has only just been translated to English!

Take a look at this story to read up on all the latest AND get a free copy of the report for yourself!

TH I S I SS U E

Shifting our focus over to Canada, we have an exclusive story featuring an eco-building that’s on its way to winning prestigious awards for the third year in a row! Why you ask? That’s because it’s made of recycled materials and additionally, self-powered with extra power to share with its neighbouring buildings. A rarity in Canada, the building is making international headlines. If you haven’t heard of Mohawk College’s ‘Joyce Center’, you’ll want to tap into this story and marvel at what Slag can do for the modern customer’s dream.

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Our last exclusive for this issue is up next, and looks at how India’s first steel slag road is changing road infrastructure after a shortage of virgin material was causing major project delays. The project, that wouldn’t be successful without its research partners has not only solved supply and demand issues, but it has also made way for the circular economy of slag to be applied in one of the world’s largest producers of steel! Make sure you catch this story before resuming your daily tasks.

Bringing it back to Australia, we zoom in on a story you don’t come across every day. I got the opportunity to sit down with Mr James Hegarty, the Accounts Manager, Sales at ASMS for the last 16 years (and 12 years in sales) to chat about how he’s getting ideas for new applications of slag though the minds of 8th graders… yep, you heard that right! What’s more, is that the initial test run went so well that James wants to do it again! The partnership between ASMS and The Illawarra Grammar School (TIGS) was one nobody saw coming, but one that is welcome amongst the search for new ideas!

Relating back to the ‘hot topic of the year’- we look at how ASA member, SmartCrete CRC is decarbonising the cement and concrete sector now that funding has been received and approved towards 5 projects, targeted at reducing CO2 emissions.

Continuing that trend, we detail the news surrounding The Federal Government’s new Modern Manufacturing Initiative (MMI) grant that will 'enhance Australia’s manufacturing capability and accelerate the transition to clean energy'. Want to know what BlueScope plans to do to fulfil this promise? Look below!

Finally, before you go, we would like to recognise our members who have provided their unlimited support throughout the curation process of Connections this year. We hope to continue working with you into the rest of the year, celebrating your achievements in industry.

Editorial The Unique Slag Mixture That's Improving Sydney Airport The Circular Lifecycle of Slag in the UK Certified Success at Port Kembla Steelworks FEhS Slag Research Report 2021 - Available to Download for FREE! EXCLUSIVE - Canadian College Building Breaks Net Zero Energy Targets for the Third Year in a Row EXCLUSIVE - India’s First ‘Slag Road’- A Resounding Success ASMS Seeks ideas from Year 8 Students to Find New Applications for Slag SmartCrete CRC 'Up For The Challenge'- How it's Decarbonising the Cement and Concrete Sector What BlueScope is Doing with their New $55 Million MMI Grant from the Federal Government Write for ASA Connections

CONTENTS

First of all, is a story I constructed alongside Mr Gavin Tory, Manager, Sales, and Business Development at ASMS. This story was described by Mr Tory as a small project, where ASMS supplied 18000 tonnes of slag to help repair Sydney Airport’s 16R International airstrip during the last lockdown. Look at what they did, what slag they used and how they’re helping us all get back to overseas travel!

CONNECTIONS EDITORIAL TEAM | May 2022 Edition Connections is published by the ASA The Australasian (Iron & Steel) Slag Association Wollongong NSW 2500 Fax: 02 4258 0169 Phone: 02 4258 0160 Web: www.asa-inc.org.au Email: info@asa-inc.org.au Editor: May Anderson Executive Director: Craig Heidrich Design: 101 Design Contributors: May Anderson, Dan Webb and Craig Heidrich Connections is a biannual publication with an online circulation of 1500 copies

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THE UNIQUE SLAG MIXTURE THAT IS

IMPROVING SYDNEY AIRPORT

Nothing compares to the hustle and bustle surrounding an airport; the unique feeling of stepping onto an aircraft with anticipation of discovering a new destination- or returning home. However, for many of us, the idea of being on a plane seems like a distant memory. The feeling of the plane's take-off and touchdown are fragments of our imaginations, with COVID-19 shutting down our ability to travel for the last few years.

Whilst this pandemic has caused such grief for the loss of travel, some much-needed work was able to be completed at the iconic Sydney Airport. Like all roads and traffic areas, airstrips will need to be amended with constant vehicle traffic causing damage over time.

Airstrips are, however, harder to upgrade with countless amounts of aircraft interrupting maintenance. This fact makes upgrade processes long and arduous for all involved.

The COVID-19 pandemic presented a unique opportunity and gap of time, allowing the SYD's 16R airstrip to be updated entirely within a total of 4 months. Sydney Airport made this project a priority knowing this was a rare opportunity needing to be seized.

That's when ASA member ASMS came to save the day. Mr Gavin Tory, Manager at ASMS, told the ASA that they provided 18000 tonnes of slag for this project. Mr Tory explained the difference in the mixture, detailing that, "We used a high binder blend of our road base to achieve a high early strength and a higher overall compressive strength than the standard ASMS road base product used by Transport for NSW for road works," he said.

Mr Benjamin Muscat, Technical Sales Manager and Materials Engineer for ASMS, shared online that "the favourable working time and early strengths gave the material a significant advantage in both placement and early trafficking," he said. Mr Muscat also noted that this wasn't the only advantage to using slag in this project, "The main advantage was that it also helped solve other challenges associated with compacting the existing subgrade, which was originally used to reclaim the land from the Cook River in the '40s. This is where it excelled over the pavement choices that were originally pursued, overcoming tough pavement challenges," he said.

It is fantastic to see slag used for projects like this. As Mr Muscat expressed, "Doing what it does best - solving problems and giving a pavement that will continue to perform well for many, many years and vehicle movements to come!" he said.

So next time you're at SYD, enjoy the take-off and/or landing knowing a bit of slag was used so you can enjoy that unique experience.

www.asa-inc.org.au

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THE CIRCULAR LIFESTYLE OF SLAG IN THE UK Sheffield, England, has a long history of steelmaking and is known for it around the world. Over the years, as a product of this steelmaking, slag began to pile up quite quickly. With a surplus of the by product, an opportunity for steel-related businesses to thrive in this area presented itself.

SteelPhalt is a Harsco company that has been recycling and using the slag since 1963. SteelPhalt uses the product to produce asphalt at its plant, roughly 11 km northeast of Sheffield in Rotherham.

SteelPhalt has said they have, since the beginning, coated over 15 million tonnes of both carbon and stainless-steel slag into high-quality asphalt surfacing materials and manufactured both EAF, BOS and stainless-steel slag into their asphalt mix.

“From the beginning, our main purpose was to use the slag aggregate from the surrounding steel mills for asphalt projects in a 150-kilometre radius from our Rotherham plant,” said Julian Smith, SteelPhalt’s global strategic growth director. “That’s what we’ve been doing ever since,” he said.

Demand began to increase rapidly in 2019 as demand for more environmentally conscious products grew, and the value of slag as a recycled material developed. “Being net-zero is high on the UK government’s agenda,” Mr Smith said. “Our products align with that goal because we are able to create a conventional product at a lower carbon footprint,” he said. This, of course, occurs by using the by-product and using reduced amounts of virgin material in products like asphalt mixtures.

SteelPhalt estimates that its carbon footprint has reduced 40% since implementing steel slag in place of natural aggregates in the asphalt the company produces. SteelPhalt's clients are also impressed with the product, finding they can save money whilst obtaining a product that doesn't compromise on quality, durability or on the environment. With word spreading fast amongst clients, SteelPhalt has invested in an additional two asphalt plants since 2020. Already, SteelPhalt’s existing Rotherham plant is the busiest independent asphalt plant in the UK. In July 2021, a second plant was opened on the same site that can produce 500,000 tonnes of the SteelPhalt product per year. In 2022, projections predict 700,000 tonnes may be produced as a combined effort between the two plants.

Over in Wales, another plant was opened in Cardiff, in the June of 2020, exposing SteelPhalt to a new market. This plant was named the first permanent asphalt plant in Cardiff in over 70 years. The reason for this is the region's many quarries and the oversaturation of other asphalt companies. Demand for

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SteelPhalt was low- until now. SteelPhalt additionally partnered with Cardiff-based company, Celsa Steel to match production with demand. This mutually beneficial partnership says that together, “We were able to offer a solution that maximizes the value of this undervalued resource,” whilst ensuring the slag was being recycled. All slag provided by Celsa is produced onsite by Celsa Steel; the steel slag used at the Rotherham plants arrives from several steel mills located within 2 kilometres.

Being involved in the whole process of gathering the slag allows for the best quality product and sets SteelPhalt apart from other companies.

SteelPhalt and Celsa's plant in Cardiff in 2022, predominately uses the most slag compared with the other plants, due to higher demand in that market area. Being a part of the Harsco family, the company can also get slag from steelworks elsewhere in the country if production at local plants falls below the volume of material it needs.

The Circular Economy At The Forefront The temperature range to produce asphalt in the UK ranges from 160 to 190 C. SteelPhalt uses LowTherm 4G from SIMA Asphalt to produce at a lower temperature while achieving the same workability characteristics. “Our very first tonne at Cardiff was produced at a reduced temperature 20 C below traditional asphalt,” Mr Smith said, “... and every single tonne produced since has been produced at that lower temperature.”

Recycled plastics have also become part of the manufacturing process. They use recycled plastics to replace a small percentage of the binder at both locations. “By utilising the properties of the selected plastics, that’s another way we can conserve natural resources in a way that is of higher value than, say, biomass usage,” Mr Smith said.

All three plants additionally use recycled asphalt products (RAP) in base and binder courses. “There aren’t specific limits to RAP usage as long as you can demonstrate performance, but generally we are limited to 20 per cent at Cardiff and 30 per cent at Rotherham,” Mr Smith said. Having their business structure base itself off this overall beneficial use of by-products, the future looks bright for SteelPhalt and its fellow partners.

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CERTIFIED SUCCESS AT PORT KEMBLA STEELWORKS As our world and industry are developing, it becomes increasingly important to develop with them.

BlueScope has been working hard to ensure they do just that, and have come out victorious with a new certification to prove it.

BlueScope Steelworks in Port Kembla (PKSW) has received ResponsibleSteel (RS) certification, creating a valuable point of difference for the company and its Port Kembla site. BlueScope has stated the PKSW is the first site in the Asia Pacific region and the fourth steelmaker in the world to receive certification. The company celebrates this victory, saying they believe the recognition reflects their quality operations and positive engagement with various stakeholders.

ABOUT RESPONSIBLE STEEL AND THE CERTIFICATION RS was established first in 2019 and is described as the global steel industry's multi-stakeholder sustainability standard and certification program. The RS program is designed to ensure customers, stakeholders and consumers can be confident that the steel they use has been sourced and produced responsibly and as sustainably as possible.

The RS mission is to enhance the responsible sourcing, production, use and recycling of steel by: • Providing a multi-stakeholder forum to build trust and achieve consensus.

• Developing standards, certification and related tools.

• Driving positive change through the recognition and use of responsible steel.

To gain certification is a rigorous process and has taken years for BlueScope to acquire. Though a lengthy process, BlueScope says it ensures the integrity of the company's processes and product in an ever-changing industry.

Congratulations to all involved with the acquisition of this award!

www.asa-inc.org.au

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FEhS SLAG RESEARCH REPORT 2021 The FEhS Institute constructed this report in 2021 as a compilation of research projects relevant to the research and development of slag usage throughout Europe. FEhS has had an extensive history of working with slag and is committed to the promotion of slag for a more circular future.

WHAT'S IN THE REPORT?

E E R FDOWNLOAD

Within the document, there are six individual projects on interdisciplinary research topics. Also included is an update of the new European Fertiliser Regulation, an assessment of the new German Substitute Building Materials Ordinance and some key figures for ferrous slag production and utilisation in Europe.

The report highlights the importance of research related to slags and additionally, the recovery and conservation of resources, for the optimisation of products and new areas of application.

Each project goes into the technical detail of its subject matter and is highly educative for industry professionals involved with the utilisation of slag, like our ASA members.

It's our great pleasure to share with our members, a copy of the report. We would like to thank FEhS for providing us with a copy of the report and encourage all our members to give it a read!

Click here to access your FREE copy of the report.

www.asa-inc.org.au

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CANADIAN COLLEGE BUILDING

BREAKS NET ZERO ENERGY TARGETS FOR THE THIRD YEAR IN A ROW CANADA'S MOHAWK COLLEGE HAS MADE HEADLINES OVER ITS EXCITING NEW, NET-ZERO BUILDING THAT USES RECYCLED STEEL AND SLAG IN ITS MAKEUP.

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The Joyce Centre for Partnership & Innovation in Hamilton, Ontario, is said to be Canada’s largest net-zero energy institutional facility and the first in the country to be awarded Zero Carbon Building – Design and Performance certification from the Canada Green Building Council, placing it as a 'hub' for carbon-neutral technologies and operations.

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An impressive joint venture between McCallumSather and B+H Architects, the CAD $54 million, 96 000-sqft building contains lecture halls, classrooms, laboratories, a library, student collaboration rooms and the offices of the Centre for Climate Change Management at Mohawk, all contributing to the World Green Building Council’s “Advancing Net Zero” initiative that aims to ensure that all buildings are net-zero carbon by 2050 and all new buildings are net-zero carbon by 2030. Anthony Cupido, Research Chair of Sustainability at Mohawk College said, “We attempted to differentiate ourselves from all the other applications to the Strategic Infrastructure Fund for post-secondary institutions in Canada to improve their infrastructure by detailing a request for a unique (at the time) and bold net-zero energy facility... The College was providing leadership with an innovative design that would demonstrate commitment to a low-carbon future and aggressive Energy Use Intensity targets,” he said.

Thanks to a dedicated team of engineers, architects and energy consumption experts, The Joyce Centre produces 100% of the energy that is required to power the whole facility, plus some of its neighbouring campus buildings, achieving the college's netzero energy goal. The finished building performed so well, that it outperformed what was predicted by professionals producing an extra 10% more energy than anticipated. Additionally, the goal was to generate enough energy to meet the needs of consumption however, generation levels exceeded consumption by an incredible surplus of 40%.

In 2021, the Joyce Centre begot 665,582 kWh (Kilowatt Hours) of electricity and utilised only 376,853 kWh, withholding a surplus of 288,729 kWh. Typically, buildings of this type are 230 to 300 ekWh/m2 (energy sources in Kilowatt Hours). The energy budget target for the Joyce Centre was 75, and the final “as-built” energy model showed an improvement to 73 ekWh/ m2.

Energy budgets and the desire to deliver a circular economy of its nature were the key players in the building's design. Joanne McCallum, CEO, Executive Architect and Principal in Charge at McCallumSather, explained, “The energy budget became a driver, not a consequence, of design decisions and an equal priority to the stringent financial budget. All design decisions revolved around meeting these targets, but without sacrificing the high quality of student experience essential to the success of this institution,” he said.

The environmental technologies include: • • • • • • • •

A high-performance building envelope consisting of triple glazing and insulated precast sandwich panels to maximise heating and cooling and natural light A "green roof" with extensive planted areas Multiple solar panels 28 geothermal wells A variable refrigerant flow heat pump system A dedicated outdoor air ventilation system Illumination and occupancy sensor-controlled LED lighting High efficiency plumbing fixtures and extensive measurement and verification protocols and infrastructure.

One of the additional special capabilities of The Joyce Centre is that it celebrates a sustainable future in infrastructure and energy production, by using solar panels as a principal design feature and promoting a sustainable future to its students.

The building also not only looks smart, but students at the college can make full use of it too. Mohawk College student, Rutul Bhavsar, relates, “My fellow students have worked on projects leveraging the capabilities of the building, which have given them an important learning opportunity from a data analytics and renewable energy perspective, as well as a research and work environment to prepare them for future jobs,” he said.

Even more so, most of the building’s embodied carbon is contained within its structure, largely through concrete and steel.

The steel was sourced from local suppliers, like Walters Steel, and has a high recycled content, while the concrete mix incorporated higher than normal Supplementary Cementing Materials, specifically slag.

www.asa-inc.org.au

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INDIA’S FIRST ‘SLAG ROAD’ A RESOUNDING SUCCESS In October 2021, India became the world’s largest producer of crude steel. In the FY21, production of crude steel and finished steel stood at 102.49 million tonnes (MT) and 94.66 MT; and it's only meant to expand further. In the FY22, crude steel production in India is estimated to increase by 18%, driven by rising demand and education.

With predicted increases of production, means an increase in the amount of its by-product, slag. In past years, tonnes of slag have been stored as a waste product until recently when a new research project led to the first steel slag road in India's history.

The country’s first steel slag road was finalised in the city of Surat, stretching across 1.2km of road, and consisting of 6 lanes. The now-famous road acts as a connectivity stretch for the Deepwater Hazira Port and connects to nearby highways.

This stretch has been built by substituting natural aggregates with 100% processed steel slag aggregates in all layers of bituminous pavement. Considering its higher strength, the thickness of the road has also been reduced by 30%.

The successful implementation of the road is set to pave the way for the utilisation of more steel slag in upcoming projects, that would otherwise have been sitting in large mounds around the country. In addition, the use of slag is solving a nationwide shortage of virgin material that is consequently holding back the finalisation of various infrastructure projects.

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The revolutionary project would not have been possible without intensive research conducted under the steel ministry. This research project was additionally sponsored by ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel under the technical guidance of the Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI) and has begun to change the way roads are constructed in India.

Almost a year from completion, Satish Pandey, principal scientist at CSIR-CRRI says the road is still upholding structural integrity. “Around 1,000-1,200 heavy commercial vehicles are using the road per day for the last one year and still it is performing well on different serviceability parameters.

Around one hundred thousand tonnes of processed steel slag aggregates have been utilised in this project. We will soon come up with guidelines for widespread usage of processed steel slag in road and highway construction,” he said.

The future of slag in India is promising. Hopefully in the future, more projects like this one recognise the benefits of using slag to not only reduce waste, but to also improve the strength and durability of asphalt mixes in India.

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YEAR 8 STUDENTS FIND NEW APPLICATIONS FOR SLAG The Australian Steel Mill Services (ASMS) was formed in 1989, with a passion for promoting the use of slag to increase the strength and durability of cement mixtures. As a long-time and committed member of the ASA, we reached out to get some information on a story you don't come across every day.

Mr James Hegarty, the Accounts Manager, Sales at ASMS for the last 16 years (and 12 years in sales), sat down with the ASA for an exclusive interview about how he has enlisted local student-generated ideas to investigate new applications for slag. "Last year, I took four year 8 classes and gave a presentation for new applications of slag. Their teacher gave them an assignment on the topic, and I was there to introduce it to them," he said.

As a well-known and appreciated member of the slag community in NSW, Mr Hegarty found himself stumbling into a conversation at his local gym that led to the idea and collaboration with a local school, The Illawarra Grammar School (TIGS). Having been involved with moving up to “5 million tonnes of slag at least” and “selling 1.2 million tonnes of slag a year” as an aggregate and replacement for virgin cementitious materials since he began at ASMS, this collaboration held promise in James' experienced mind.

parent groups in the US that have since been investigated by industry professionals. "You know, there could be 100 ideas, but it only takes one to be successful," said Mr Hegarty.

Expressing his gratitude again, Mr Hegarty told us, "I'd be very keen to do it again sometime later this year. I found the experience to be amazing," Hegarty said. "I think because the school centres around academic excellence and pushing the boundaries, the students can come up with some pretty amazing ideas. This collaboration with TIGS was by chance, but I'm so glad that it happened, the students were incredible," he concluded.

Representatives from ASMS's board and US members came to view some of the student's ideas this week in search of a new application idea. Some of the students’ work is to be discussed further and possibly taken to the next stage of development (good luck students!).

Mr Hegarty explained the visit was a trial and one that he wasn't expecting much out of. However, he came back with more than he anticipated.

As Mr Hegarty said, there could be 100 ideas, but it only takes one to be successful- and this partnership seems to be the one that succeeded indeed.

"I was told I'd be lucky to hold the class's attention for more than 20 minutes. I came in that day and delivered my presentation to the kids and had them all stay back after class to ask me extra questions," Mr Hegarty told us.

"These kids, they think without blinkers on. We achieved some amazing results... I was extremely impressed," he continued.

The ASA would like to thank Mr Hegarty for his time and look forward to hearing more about the development of this story later in the year.

Mr Hegarty was so impressed with the final assessments, that some were chosen to be shown to various board members and

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"These kids, they think without blinkers on. We achieved some amazing results... I was extremely impressed," he continued."

Mr James Hegarty - ASMS Accounts Manager

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SMARTCRETE CRC 'UP FOR THE CHALLENGE' - How It's Decarbonising the Cement and Concrete Sector Since the year 2000, the Australian cement and concrete industry has delivered a 25% reduction in emissions.

As highlighted at the COP26 Conference in Glasgow, there is a significant opportunity to achieve net-zero carbon concrete by 2050. As an industry-led cooperative research centre, SmartCrete CRC has the objective to provide real outcomes for industry and build a sustainable network for research and development as well as economic, environmental, and social benefits to the Australian concrete landscape.

As we know, concrete is the most widely used man-made material and second only to water as the most-consumed resource on the planet. While cement - the key ingredient in concrete - has shaped much of our built environment, it also has a massive carbon footprint, 8% of the world’s total carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, to be exact. With this fact, SmartCrete is determined to do something about it- for the planet and future generations.

In addressing its vision to ensure the long-term viability of vital concrete infrastructure, SmartCrete CRC says it will "continue to facilitate the creation of networks between the concrete industry and research providers to address the research requirements that have been identified. SmartCrete CRC is ready to consider relevant projects that support key innovation areas. In addition, the organisation has funding available to realise these projects," they said in a recent press release.

A new independent report titled 'Decarbonisation Pathways for the Australian Cement and Concrete Sector' was commissioned

by VDZ to identify the critical pathways that need to be utilised across the sector to lower CO2 emissions and decarbonise by 2050. SmartCrete CRC says they are "proud to have been a major contributor of this report that was launched on the 19th of October 2021 and strongly believe that this document charts a practical way forward to achieving these goals," they said.

The Australian cement and concrete sector comprehend the long term economic and societal benefits of harnessing the eight identified decarbonisation pathways and key future research requirements identified in the report. SmartCrete CRC will focus on five areas that are highlighted below now that funding has been approved and received:

The report identifies 8 decarbonisation pathways with actions that are essential to successfully implement this plan. The 8 projects with a total cash value of $6.2m have been approved and are already making a difference. “This is an exciting time for SmartCrete CRC, and we are delighted that the concrete industry has taken steps to collaborate with us to ensure the long-term viability of concrete infrastructure in Australia,” said Stephen Harmer, Acting CEO of SmartCrete CRC.

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• • • • • • • •

Zero-emission electricity and transport Innovation through design and construction Further innovation in concrete Increased use of supplementary cementitious materials in concrete New CO2 efficient types of cement Alternative fuels and green hydrogen Accounting for concrete to uptake CO2 (Recarbonation) Capture remaining CO2 (CCUS)

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A new grant from The Federal Government has been awarded to BlueScope and its partners that will 'enhance Australia’s manufacturing capability and accelerate the transition to clean energy' On March 16th, ASA member BlueScope and its Managing Director & CEO, Mr Mark Vassella welcomed the Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction, Angus Taylor to the iconic Port Kembla Steelworks, where he announced a Modern Manufacturing Initiative (MMI) grant from the Federal Government to BlueScope and its partners. This exciting development is set to enhance Australia’s sovereign manufacturing capability and accelerate the manufacture of essential components for the transition to clean energy.

Commenting on the achievement, BlueScope shared on social media, "BlueScope and its partners are delighted to have received a Modern Manufacturing Initiative (MMI) grant from the Federal Government, which will enhance Australia’s sovereign manufacturing capability, and ensure we can make a substantive investment to get on with the job of making essential components for the clean energy transition including wind towers and solar farm componentry," they said.

BlueScope's Managing Director and CEO, Mr Mark Vassella, has indicated the grant ($55.4 million) is a catalyst to produce a further $162 million worth of investment by BlueScope and its partners; Keppel Prince, Bisalloy, and the University of Wollongong. The

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BlueScope team predicts this revenue will also generate approximately 200 new jobs in steel manufacturing and an additional 1000 jobs in associated industries.

A variety of changes at BlueScope Port Kembla are also to come from this upgrade, including some upgrades on existing buildings and the addition of some new purposebuilt facilities. Mr Vasella said in a recent statement, "The investment – which will create an Advanced Steel Manufacturing Precinct at Port Kembla Steelworks – will see the building of a new fabrication facility to manufacture components for the renewable energy, defence and other sectors, as well as upgrades and modernisation of BlueScope’s Plate Mill", Mr Vassella said.

This exciting new grant for BlueScope and its various partners presents a unique opportunity for the acceleration to a net-zero future. As associates, the ASA looks forward to keeping up-to-date and reporting on the updates as they unfold and would like to congratulate BlueScope for this incredible achievement.

"Today’s announcement is an example of BlueScope and its partners ‘walking the talk’ and taking practical action to help deliver a low emissions future for Australia," Mr Vassella concluded.

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WE NEED YOUR CONTENT

Connections is produced twice a year for the benefit of ASA members and before each publication is drafted, an email is sent to all members urging them to contribute their stories.

The types of content we are looking for include:

NEW DEVELOPMENTS AND TECHNOLOGIES NEW PROJECTS

NEW EMPLOYEES We also have a Member Profile section, which is open to all member companies for contributions on behalf of the business in general, or a specific employee. So if you have an idea or content that you think might make an interesting article, get in contact with the Association today:

publications@asa-inc.org.au

SUBSCRIBE TO www.asa-inc.org.au Views expressed in Connections newsletter do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Australasian Slag Association.

All contributions are welcomed, though the publisher reserves the right to decline or edit for style grammar, length and legal reasons.

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