New Delhi: The CSIR–Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI) and JSW Steel Limited, Salem Works, entered into a strategic partnership to promote sustainable infrastructure through the development of Steel Slag Roads in Tamil Nadu.
The collaboration focuses on utilising steel slag – an industrial by-product – as a durable and eco-friendly construction material for road infrastructure.
The initiative aligns with the national vision of “From Waste to Wealth” and supports Government of India policies on circular economy, resource efficiency, reduction of industrial waste, and adoption of green technologies in public infrastructure projects.
Steel Slag Roads to Advance Circular Economy and Green Infrastructure
The partnership aims to promote the scientific valorisation and large-scale utilisation of steel slag for Steel Slag Roads, contributing to India’s circular economy and sustainable infrastructure goals.
JSW Steel Limited, Salem Works, a key manufacturing unit of the JSW Group, has joined hands with CSIR-CRRI under a sponsored research project titled “Development of Customized Steel Slag Valorisation Process for Techno-economic Conversion of EOF and LRF Steel Slag for Various Road Applications at JSW Salem Works.”
The project focuses on processing Electric Optimization Furnace (EOF) and Ladle Refining Furnace (LRF) steel slag into engineered slag aggregates suitable for use in bituminous road construction, reducing reliance on natural aggregates and lowering the environmental impact of road development.
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Steel Slag Roads Technology to Be Implemented in Tamil Nadu for the First Time
The Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signing ceremony was held at JSW Steel Limited, Salem Works, in the presence of Dr N Kalaiselvi, Director General, CSIR and Secretary, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR).
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Kalaiselvi highlighted the national and global impact of CSIR-CRRI’s Steel Slag Road technology, which has already been implemented across multiple Indian states.
She noted that leading steel producers such as AMNS India, Tata Steel, JSW Steel, Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL), Jindal Steel, and Arjas Steel have adopted the technology under CSIR-CRRI’s technical guidance.
The current initiative will mark the first implementation of Steel Slag Road technology in Tamil Nadu.
MoA Exchange Marks Launch of Steel Slag Roads Project
The agreement was formally exchanged between Dr Chalumuri Ravi Sekhar, Director, CSIR-CRRI, and B N S Prakash Rao, Executive Vice President and Plant Head, JSW Steel Salem Works, marking the official commencement of the project.
Senior officials from CSIR-CRRI, including Dr Vinod Karar, Head, PME Division, and Satish Pandey, Senior Principal Scientist and inventor of the Steel Slag Road technology, were present at the ceremony.
Senior leadership from JSW Steel Salem Works also attended, reflecting strong institutional commitment from both organisations.
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Demonstration Project to Validate Performance of Steel Slag Roads
The project will include laboratory characterisation of steel slag, development of customised processing protocols, construction of a demonstration road section near Salem, and long-term performance monitoring to assess field performance.
By reducing industrial waste, lowering carbon emissions, and conserving natural resources, the initiative supports national priorities such as Aatmanirbhar Bharat, sustainable development, and circular economy practices.
The collaboration is expected to serve as a replicable model for other steel plants and accelerate the adoption of Steel Slag Roads across India’s road infrastructure ecosystem.
