News Release
JFE Steel Corporation
JFE Steel Signs Long-term Agreement with ZAG
to Supply Granulated Blast-furnace Slag as Raw Material for Cement
—Will help to lower environmental impact of cement production—
JFE Steel Corporation announced today that in November it entered into a long-term agreement to continue supplying U.S.-based cement-material supplier Zeynel Advisory Group Americas LLC (ZAG) with granulated blast-furnace slag (GBFS), a raw material used in the production of cement, beginning in 2024. ZAG has been a customer of JFE Steel’s GBFS for more than 20 years, and shares JFE Steel’s goal of enhancing the value of GBFS.
Blast-furnace slag cement is a mixture of ordinary cement (Portland cement) and GBFS powder obtained by milling GBFS. This special slag can reduce CO2 emissions per ton of cement by around 42% versus ordinary cement, which is why it is recognized globally as an important recycled raw material for cement manufacturers seeking to achieve carbon neutrality. Demand is expected to continue growing, especially in the European, U.S. and Australian markets.
JFE Steel will provide a stable, long-term supply of the material primarily for ZAG’s global operations. In addition, JFE Steel will continue to work with other partners to enhance the value of granulated blast-furnace slag for stable international sales.
Going forward, JFE Steel will continue developing eco-friendly products to help reduce CO2 emissions across society in order to realize a more sustainable world.
Signing ceremony between JFE Steel and ZAG
(From right) ZAG Managing Director Daniel Ulestig; JFE Steel Senior Vice President Takashi Maruyama; ZAG Chairman Charles Zeynel; and ZAG CEO Christopher Zeynel
Overview of Zeynel Advisory Group Americas LLC (ZAG)
| CEO: | Christopher Zeynel |
| Location: | Austin, Texas, USA |
| Established: | 2001 (ZAG Group) |
| Main business: | Sales of raw materials associated with cement manufacturing, product development, and distribution services |
About JFE Steel Corporation
JFE Steel Corporation, one of the world’s leading integrated steel producers, was established through the consolidation of NKK Corporation and Kawasaki Steel Corporation in 2003. The company operates several steelworks in Japan and numerous branch offices and affiliates throughout the world. JFE Steel leverages world-class technologies and know-how to produce a wide range of products based on its “Only One, Number One” strategy of focusing on unique and best-in-class products. The company reported consolidated sales of 2,255 billion yen and consolidated crude steel output of 23.96 million tons in the fiscal year ended March 2021.
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