Slag Valorisation Symposium

As global challenges intensify—from climate change and resource scarcity to industrial decarbonisation—the need to rethink how we produce, use, and reuse materials has never been more urgent. At the same time, increasing pressure on global supply chains, rising costs of raw materials and energy, and growing geopolitical uncertainty are exposing the vulnerability of resource-dependent systems. Frameworks such as the United Nations 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals have set the direction. Yet, the real challenge lies in implementation: scaling solutions, accelerating innovation, and bridging the gap between research and industry.

In this context, the valorisation of residues is no longer an option, it is a necessity.

Since 2009, the International Slag Valorisation Symposium, organised by the Materials Engineering Department at KU Leuven, has grown into a recognised platform where academia and industry meet to exchange knowledge, challenge assumptions, and shape the future of high-temperature process residues.

Over the years, the symposium has reflected—and contributed to—the evolution of the field:

The 10th edition marks an important milestone—an opportunity not only to reflect on this journey, but also to critically assess where we stand today and where we need to go next.

As industries face increasing pressure on raw material supply, cost, and sustainability performance, the perspective is shifting toward by-products as strategic resources, essential for reducing dependency on primary materials and strengthening circular value chains.