I have been working for the FEhS Institute since 1992, and its library contains all issues of ZKG Cement Lime Gyspum since 1948. Of course, we know and use the publications, especially those on the subject of cements containing blast furnace slag, which were already dealt with in the first issue. And again and again it is astonishing how some questions remain similar over decades, even if, of course, the analytical methods have evolved. In addition, it is a matter of course for us to follow current developments in the field of hydraulic binders in the ZKG. At the same time, it also provides an ideal platform for presenting our own research results to the specialist audience.
Sustainability is the core topic of the “FEhS Institute”, even if this term did not play a role when it was founded in 1954. The use of metallurgical slags for the production of cement and concrete was and is a central focus of the research work. While the main motivation was initially to avoid the landfilling of millions of tons of material, the ecological aspects became increasingly important. The use of granulated blast furnace slag as a cement constituent significantly reduces the ecological footprint in cement and thus concrete production, e.g. by significantly avoiding CO2 emissions, primary energy demand and raw material mining for clinker production. In addition, concretes with cements containing granulated blast furnace slag are known, for example, for high chemical resistance, which means a contribution to the durability of concrete structures and thus, in turn, to sustainability.
In the field of hydraulic binders, I would like to see comprehensive monitoring of both technical developments and the framework conditions in politics and standardization. It is clear that, for ecological reasons, both the number and type of cements with different constituents will increase significantly. New cement constituents will also have to be evaluated, which in my estimation will include both present and future metallurgical slags.
