How BSRM turns steel waste into eco-friendly construction material | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Monday
June 16, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2025
How BSRM turns steel waste into eco-friendly construction material

Environment

Jobaer Chowdhury
05 June, 2023, 11:45 am
Last modified: 05 June, 2023, 01:13 pm

Related News

  • Let the businesses sustain, wealthy people invest
  • BSRM hosts architecture conference Architecture: Where to Go
  • BSRM hosts “Architecture: Where to Go”: A visionary platform for the future of design
  • BRAC University and BSRM inaugurate BSRM School of Engineering
  • Water getting scarce for Chattogram industries

How BSRM turns steel waste into eco-friendly construction material

Jobaer Chowdhury
05 June, 2023, 11:45 am
Last modified: 05 June, 2023, 01:13 pm

An initiative by the country's leading steel producer is leading the way to convert the waste generated in the steelmaking process into eco-friendly construction material as an alternative to bricks, which industry insiders say will greatly help reduce stress on the environment. 

Steelmaking involves melting scraps into billets. During the process, a soil-like but solid waste called steel slag (induction furnace slag) is generated. This waste, when dumped in the environment, threatens biodiversity and reduces land fertility. 

However, Bangladesh Steel Re-Rolling Mills (BSRM) has turned this slag into a commercial product after nearly a decade of effort.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

A research conducted by the Islamic University of Technology found that a 35% reduction in the CO2 footprint of concrete can be achieved by fully replacing brick with slag, with at least a 30% reduction in cost.

"Replacement of brick aggregate (chips) by IFS (steel slag) enhances concrete mechanical performance and workability compared to 100% brick aggregate concrete," the research report said.

According to BSRM, a crusher machine breaks slags into various sizes. Currently, the company is producing at least three types of slag gravel which are being used as an alternative to brick and stone chips.

The company used pavement blocks made of slags as an alternative to crushed bricks in road construction in its factory complexes and hollow blocks made from slag were used for building walls. 

Besides, a fine sand-like material that comes out during slag crushing has been used in road dividers instead of sand, the company said. 

Besides, it can be used as railway stones, BSRM said.

The initiative is more pertinent today as Bangladesh will be observing World Environment Day on Monday amid ever-increasing industrial pollution and environmental catastrophes in the country.

BSRM's steel slag history

In 2012, BSRM took the initiative to work with slags. Also, Buet's Civil Engineering Department was engaged to look into the utility of the material. In 2016, work on slags officially began.  

In 2017, BSRM's two factories installed crusher machines to break down slags and pavement and hollow blocks were successfully produced in 2018. 

In 2020, the government gave permission to use the material for road construction.

Currently, BSRM processes slag at four plants including two at Nasirabad Industrial Area, and two at Bhatiari and Mirsharai.

Among these, two crusher machines have been installed in two factories to break the slag at the cost of about Tk6 crore.

BSRM now produces around 1.20 lakh tonnes of slag each year, 100% of which is used as construction material. 

BSRM received the "SDG Brand Champion Awards 2023"' for their initiative. 

BSRM receiving the SDG Brand Championship Awards 2023 for Responsible Consumption and Production. Photo: Courtesy
BSRM receiving the SDG Brand Championship Awards 2023 for Responsible Consumption and Production. Photo: Courtesy

Slag gravel in Manikganj road

BSRM jointly undertook a pilot project with Bangladesh Road Research Laboratory to use steel slag instead of concrete in road construction in 2021.

Under the project, slag gravel was used for constructing a 100-metre section of Golora-Saturia road in Manikganj. 

The research agency's Director Ahsan Habib told The Business Standard that they found the road in good condition during an inspection after one year of construction.

"We are planning to use the material on a large scale and it is being added to the list as an alternative to other construction materials," Ahsan Habib added.

Environment and affordability

To meet the growing demand, a total of 5,000 brick kilns across the country produce 12 billion clay-burnt bricks annually.

In contrast, slags are generated during steel production. Then it is broken by crusher machines only. 

According to BSRM, steel slag is better as construction materials because its water absorption capacity is 2% against 13% for brick aggregate. 

The average price per cubic foot of brick aggregate is Tk120, stone aggregate Tk200 and slag aggregate Tk70 in the current market.

BSRM Deputy Managing Director Tapan Sengupta told TBS, "Our steel slag is being recycled 100%. Slag is used in our own factory basement and factory road in Mirshrai."

New possibilities

Steelmakers in Bangladesh produce 7.5 million tonnes of steel annually, according to industry insiders. 

About 40kg-70kg of slag is produced against each tonne of steel. As such, about 4.50 lakh tonnes of steel slag is produced in this sector.

Only BSRM converts this waste into usable materials while the rest dumps it as waste. 

The selling price of BSRM's slag Tk1,700 to Tk1,750 per tonne.

With this, if the entire sector recycles slag, the initial market will stand at around Tk80 crore.

Hussaini T Fakhri, managing director of Fakhris Green Building Resource Limited told TBS, "As we produce environment-friendly building products, we use steel slag as an aggregate instead of stones to reduce the carbon footprint."

"It is also cost-effective for us and steel slag does not negatively impact the quality of the finished product," he added.

Economy / Top News

BSRM / Steel waste

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. File photo: Collected
    Prosecution targets December for conclusion of Hasina's ICT trial
  • Debris falls mid-broadcast in Iran state tv studio following Israeli strike. Photo: BBC
    Israel strikes Iranian state TV; debris falls in studio during live broadcast
  • Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus chairs a meeting of the National Consensus Commission at the state guest house Jamuna on 16 June 2025. Photo: CA Press Wing
    CA Yunus orders probe into roles of ex-CECs, ECs, officials in last three national elections

MOST VIEWED

  • Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur. TBS Sketch
    Merger of 5 Islamic banks at final stage: BB governor
  • UCB launches Bangladesh's first microservices-based open API banking platform
    UCB launches Bangladesh's first microservices-based open API banking platform
  • Photo: Collected
    Pakistan rejects reports of missile supply to Iran
  • Infographic: TBS
    Non-performing loans surge by Tk74,570cr in Q1 as hidden rot exposed
  • BSEC seeks roadmap from 60 firms on Tk30cr capital compliance
    BSEC seeks roadmap from 60 firms on Tk30cr capital compliance
  • Former Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK Saida Muna Tasneem. Photo: Collected
    ACC launches inquiry against ex-Bangladesh envoy Saida Muna, husband over laundering Tk2,000cr

Related News

  • Let the businesses sustain, wealthy people invest
  • BSRM hosts architecture conference Architecture: Where to Go
  • BSRM hosts “Architecture: Where to Go”: A visionary platform for the future of design
  • BRAC University and BSRM inaugurate BSRM School of Engineering
  • Water getting scarce for Chattogram industries

Features

The GLS600 overall has a curvaceous nature, with seamless blends across every panel. PHOTO: Arfin Kazi

Mercedes Maybach GLS600: Definitive Luxury

12h | Wheels
Renowned authors Imdadul Haque Milon, Mohit Kamal, and poet–children’s writer Rashed Rouf seen at Current Book Centre, alongside the store's proprietor, Shahin. Photo: Collected

From ‘Screen and Culture’ to ‘Current Book House’: Chattogram’s oldest surviving bookstore

1d | Panorama
Photos: Collected

Kurtis that make a great office wear

3d | Mode
Among pet birds in the country, lovebirds are the most common, and they are also the most numerous in the haat. Photo: Junayet Rashel

Where feathers meet fortune: How a small pigeon stall became Dhaka’s premiere bird market

5d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

Phulbari, Banglabandha Borders Closed Due to Protests by Indian Truck Workers

Phulbari, Banglabandha Borders Closed Due to Protests by Indian Truck Workers

50m | TBS World
Why is China's economy not booming?

Why is China's economy not booming?

1h | Others
An additional 36 countries may be added to the travel restrictions imposed by the United States.

An additional 36 countries may be added to the travel restrictions imposed by the United States.

4h | TBS World
NPLs surge by Tk74,570cr in Q1 as hidden rot exposed

NPLs surge by Tk74,570cr in Q1 as hidden rot exposed

4h | TBS Insight
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net