Granulated Slag (Slag Sand) from Iron or Steel Manufacture

Granulated slag (slag sand) is specifically produced by rapid water quenching of molten blast-furnace slag, yielding a glassy, hydraulically active material classified under 261800. Non-granulated slag, dross, scalings, and ferrous scale from iron or steel manufacture fall under heading 261900. The granulation process and resulting physical form are the key classification criteria.

Domestic blast-furnace capacity limits US production of granulated slag, creating a structural import need. Construction industry demand for ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS) as a cement substitute — valued for durability and reduced CO₂ footprint — sustains import volumes, with Japan and China as the primary foreign sources.