Harsco Corp. develops carbon-negative asphalt product

The product, called SteelSurf ECO+, uses 95 percent recycled steel slag.


Harsco Corp., a Camp Hill, Pennsylvania-based environmental solutions provider, has announced that SteelPhalt—a part of its Harsco Environmental division—has launched a carbon-negative asphalt product.

The product, called SteelSurf ECO+, uses 95 percent recycled steel slag. Prior SteelPhalt asphalt products used bitumen to bind the asphalt, which is an oil-based binder product with a significant carbon footprint.

SteelSurf ECO+ instead uses kraft lignin-based Lineo, a renewable bio-based substance supplied by GautamZenUK in collaboration with Stora Enso, as an alternative to bitumen, thus dramatically reducing the product’s carbon footprint.

"In our journey to become the world's most sustainable asphalt supplier, this is a huge step forward,” says Julian Smith, strategic growth director for SteelPhalt. “This product is an example of what our team’s collective passion for innovation and sustainability can deliver, while making the world a greener place.”

SteelPhalt has been developing and manufacturing high-performance asphalt products for roadmaking in the U.K. industry since the 1960s. Based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, SteelPhalt is ideally located to source slag cost-effectively from the surrounding steel industry for sustainable asphalt creation.