ECOFIX and Steel Slag Technology: Boosting Resilient Road Construction in Hilly Regions

Accelerating Steel Slag Technology for Sustainable Roads

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh has advocated faster adoption of steel slag–based road construction technology, particularly in hilly and Himalayan regions. He observed that although the technology has demonstrated clear advantages in durability and sustainability, its uptake across Himalayan states and Union Territories remains limited due to gaps in awareness, training and institutional capacity.

Focus on Himalayan States and Capacity Building

The Minister was speaking at an event marking the signing of an agreement between the Technology Development Board and Visakhapatnam-based Ramuka Global Eco Work Private Limited . He said targeted workshops are being organised to familiarise engineers and officials with the application of steel slag in road construction. A two-day workshop on steel slag technology is scheduled in Jammu and Kashmir , with similar programmes planned in other states and UTs. Regions with short construction seasons, heavy rainfall and repeated road damage were identified as ideal candidates for this innovation.

Development Journey and Current Adoption

Dr. Singh traced the evolution of the technology, noting that pilot trials began around two years ago in Surat, Gujarat, and parts of the Northeast, including Arunachal Pradesh . Since then, steel slag–based road repair solutions have been deployed in Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh. However, he cautioned that awareness remains uneven, even among senior engineers, highlighting the need for proactive dissemination by government agencies and industry stakeholders.

ECOFIX and Circular Economy Gains

The agreement enables commercial deployment of ECOFIX , a ready-to-use pothole repair mix developed by CSIR–Central Road Research Institute with support from the Technology Development Board. ECOFIX utilises processed iron and steel slag, converting industrial waste into a high-performance construction material. Designed for use even in wet or waterlogged conditions, it reduces repair time, traffic disruption and lifecycle costs, while strongly aligning with circular economy principles.

Imporatnt Facts for Exams

• Steel slag is an industrial by-product reused in road construction

• ECOFIX is a ready-to-use pothole repair mix developed by CSIR-CRRI

• Technology Development Board supports commercialisation of public-funded R&D

• Circular economy promotes waste reuse and reduced resource extraction

Public–Private Partnership and Way Forward

The Minister emphasised that publicly funded research must result in tangible public benefits. He highlighted a growing shift towards balanced public–private partnerships, with private investment matching government support in this project. The Technology Development Board and Ramuka Global Eco Work Private Limited plan to establish an iron and steel slag processing facility with an annual capacity of nearly two lakh tonnes. Commercial production is expected by the end of 2027, supporting resilient infrastructure, sustainability goals and employment generation.