It is with deep sadness that the Australasian (iron & steel) Slag Association (ASA) learnt last week that Doug Prosser, OAM and inaugural Executive Officer of the Australasian (iron & steel) Slag Association (1989 - 1998) passed away last week after a short battle with illness.  He is survived by his beloved wife Marie.  All members past and present offer his family our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.

Please note that the following draft’s public comment period is due to close in three days.

@AuManufacturing, a news and analysis website run by the Australian Manufacturing Forum, recently posted an article on the CRC for Low Carbon Living's project, demonstrating the use of high-density Geopolymer Concrete (GPC) in coastal protection. The Australasian (iron & steel) Slag Association (ASA) have been involved with the project, alongside the CRC-LCL.

The ASA have been heavily involved in projects within the CRC-LCL initiative, namely the High Density Geopolymer (GPC) Project. Watch the Hanbar Units come together.

Ed Haber was a respected expert, guide, mentor, colleague, friend and family member and will be remembered by many as the "go to" man for concrete. 

Making a holiday trip or commuting down the coast may become a lot quicker and easier come December 2022, when the $550 million Albion Park Rail Bypass could be open to traffic.

The NSW government will spend approx $400 million over the next four years to upgrade the Princes Highway between Berry and Bomaderry – bringing what was a planned, yet unfunded road project to life.

Costing over $41M, slag was specified to meet the technically demanding requirements for this project.  Australian Steel Mill Services (ASMS) partnered with NSW Roads & Maritime Services (RMS) for an upgrade of Showground Road in Castle Hill.

The Australian Government’s $2.55 billion Emissions Reduction Fund provides opportunities for Australian business, farmers, landholders, local councils and others to earn carbon revenue and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

It was indeed tragic to hear through friends of the Association that Bill Bourke had recently passed away. Nick Jones, Harsco UK & Craig Heidrich, CEO of Australasian (iron & steel) Slag Association, pay tribute to the legacy Bill left within the association. 

On Monday the 23rd of January, Harsco Corporation announced the signing of two multi-year contracts for steel mill services in China and Brazil, which are valued at more than $100 million.

The Australasian (iron & steel) Slag Association website is frequently visited by members, academics, researches and the general public. The website includes information ranging from products, to news, events and more. In 2017 the ASA website will be receiving a large update.

An investment of 30 million Euro into a new production facility located in the north of France is part of a joint venture between an Irish Slag cement company and the worlds largest steel company, according to the Irish Independent newspaper.

Independent Cement & Lime (ICL) is a Melbourne based supplier of cement and blended cement products. ICL group has facilities located in Victoria and New South Wales, including the recently commissioning Granulated Blast Furnace Slag Grinding Facility which recently commissioned AUS $62.5M.

Since our last update as of June 2016, the Appin road development has undertaken several updates. Gavin Tory and James Hegarty provided us with up dates in regards to the slag based products being used on the project.

IMPULSE, by PowerPlus Cleaning Systems, claims to enhance boiler processes and minimize costs associated with other cleaning methods. This innovative technology provides advantages over traditional boiler cleaning methods like sootblowing, rapping, manual shaking, blasting, and high-pressure water washing.

NSW Governement budget surplus means a record $73.3 billion will be spent on infrastructure over the next four years.This ambitious infrastructure programme sees $41.5 billion in the transport cluster alone over the four year budget cycle

The Australasian (iron & steel) Slag Association is currently drafting content for the upcoming edition of Connections. We have drafted a table of contents, and we would love to hear your thoughts.

A 2nd Edition of Procurement of Construction Products – A guide to achieving compliance was released in November 2015.  The Guide now recognises 34 industry led product accreditation schemes and guidance information across a range of building product categories including reinforcing and structural steel, cementitious materials for concrete, wood products, glazing products, electrical products, fire safety services, plumbing products, insulation products, coating products and building products. The Guide is an important and valuable contribution to the efficiency and reliability of the building and construction industry. This Guide has been jointly developed by 30 key construction industry stakeholders and supported by many others. 

Gary started employment at the age of sixteen as a Fitter & Turner in January 1981. His first year was spent in a training workshop with two hundred and twenty (220) other apprentices learning the skills required to work competently and safely. His second and third year was spent at the Works Soaking Pits and the Stainless Steel Building located within the Slab Yard Department, working on stainless steel slab grinding machines.

Another interesting use for slag is starting to sprout out of France. In the north of the country where its mining and industrial industry has now been abandoned all that remains are the small mining villages and the colossal slag hills or “terrils”.

When we think about slag most of us imagine a rocky, rough, rugged material. But recently, some have polished this diamond in the rough and created something beautiful. A family in Riddells Creek, Victoria, have created an eco-friendly home which has polished e-crete slag on the floors.