Research focusing on the physical, chemical, thermodynamic and structure properties of liquid and solid slags, such as viscosity, phase equilibria, interfacial properties, polymerisation degree, interactions between minerals and gels... It considers both experimental and characterisation studies, calculations and (nano-scale) modelling work.

Research focusing on:

• The hot-stage engineering of slags and the solidification procedures with the aim to improve the slag valorisation opportunities. It includes lab or pilot scale studies dealing with the effect of additions at high temperature and/or of the cooling procedures on the properties of the liquid and/or solid slag. Studies dealing with the mineralogy and leaching behaviour of the slag are included in this.
• Phenomena and reactions during weathering of metallurgical slags, and the effect of weathering and the weathering conditions on the slag properties and the slag valorisation opportunities.
• The recycling of slag within metallurgical plants and the evaluation of this procedure.

Research focussing on:

• Clean slag production for added-value application of metallurgical slags and/or other industrial residues. This includes slag design for zero waste metallurgy, deep reduction of ferrous and non-ferrous slags, plasma fuming, removal of harmful component from slags.
• Recovery of base metals, rare earth and precious metals from industrial wastes and/or secondary resources. In particular, research that highlights metal recovery through both metallurgical processes (e.g. pyro-, hydro- and electro-metallurgy), and mineral processing (e.g. magnetic separation, gravity separation, flotation separation)

Research focusing on the conception, development, optimisation or understanding of innovative production processes that promote industrial residues valorisation and the generation of slag and residue-based products. It also includes studies addressing the effect of the production process on the desired properties of existing products or the evaluation of their performance at any stage of development.

Research on slags compatible with the UN Sustainable Development Goals No. 12 (“Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns) and 13 (“Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts”) and/or the European Green Deal. In particular, research that promotes and emphasises novel ideas and/or technologies focusing on sustainable management of slags and other industrial residues, lower carbon emissions, and more efficient use of resources.

Research at pilot-plant or industrial level (Technology readiness level 5 or higher) that aims at upscaling, implementing, and/or optimising slag valorisation. Pre-and feasibility studies highlighting evaluation from a technical perspective are also welcome, as well as technical reports of lessons learned from full-scale implementations.

Research which focuses on environmental and economic analysis of slag and industrial residues valorisation, metals and heat recovery. In particular, studies that use life cycle assessment, life cycle costing, cost-benefits analysis and other assessment tools to evaluate the environmental and economic trade-off the costs of the recycling processes and the benefits of materials and energy recovery.

Research focusing on how policy and regulation can boost for valorisation of slag and other residues from industrial processes. It includes studies from public bodies or private sector, using real case studies or prediction models to analyses the consequences of policy and regulations on the environmental performance of high-temperature industry.