Every day, steel mills produce not only steel but also millions of metric tons of slag. The most problematic part of this slag is a fine powder that cannot be used in construction and has been piling up in landfills for decades, leaching heavy metals.

A Belgian company proposed an effective solution and was granted Eurasian Patent No. 054861.

The invention transforms this powder into a highly effective sorbent for removing acidic pollutants — HCl, HF, SO₂, and NOₓ — from flue gases. The key process is carbonation: treatment with carbon dioxide increases the surface area of the particles from 5 to 20+ m²/g, creating micropores that trap pollutants. Tests have shown capture rates of up to 99% for HCl, 93% for SO₂, and 93% for NOₓ — comparable with, and sometimes exceeding, those of expensive lime-based alternatives.

The invention solves two problems at once: it reduces mountains of industrial waste and cleans the air we breathe, making the technology more accessible and environmentally friendly.

Source：Eurasian Patent Organization (EAPO) News；2026-10-23；https://www.eapo.org/en/eapv-news-en/patent-of-the-month-from-metallurgical-waste-to-air-protection/