After the Second Industrial Revolution, metal became a fundamental element, playing a key role in communication and electrification. The metallurgical industry is highly polluting, but it has great potential for energy saving and emission reduction. In China, the utilization of metallurgical waste began relatively late. Currently, the utilization rate of blast furnace slag is around 70-85%, while the utilization rate of steel slag is only about 25%. A large amount of stored waste pollutes the soil and water, causing frequent negative ecological effects and posing long.

In recent years, Minmetals Group has launched a special technological project titled "Synergistic Disposal and Resource Utilization of Metallurgical and Urban Solid Waste." The company has invited BENTU design to use slag in the development of sustainable urban public furniture, seeking to rediscover lost industrial memories and personal sentiments from discarded aggregates. This initiative promotes a development model that emphasizes full utilization and scientific production. 

In September 2022, led by the Changsha County Education Bureau, a meeting was held between Minmetals Wanjing Songya and Changsha Experimental Primary School, confirming that the Songya campus of Changsha Experimental Primary School is expected to open in the fall of 2024. As one of Changsha's top four prestigious primary schools, Changsha Experimental Primary School boasts a century-long history and an excellent reputation in the community.

To promote the development of sustainable education, the "Minmetals Slag Sustainable Recycling Practice Exhibition" was successfully held at Changsha Experimental Primary School Songya Campus starting from September 1, 2024. Organized by Hunan Kuangya Real Estate Development Co., Ltd., hosted by Changsha Experimental Primary School Songya Campus, and collaboratively executed byBENTU design and the Sustainable Design (Materials) Museum, the exhibition showcased innovative practices in sustainable recycling of slag.

The exhibition focuses on slag materials, experimental slag material samples, and slag-based public furniture displays. It highlights Minmetals' sustainable development philosophy and the value of its internal slag recycling applications, as well as Minmetals Real Estate's commitment to promoting low-carbon technologies and fulfilling its social responsibilities. The exhibition aims to engage various sectors of society in the practice of slag recycling and foster innovation in the research and application of sustainable materials developed by Minmetals Real Estate.

Through this innovative sustainable education exhibition, visitors gain a more direct understanding of the potential for transforming slag and solid waste into everyday household products. The exhibition aims to raise public awareness and engagement in sustainable lifestyles, while encouraging the community and the public to focus on sustainable development and waste recycling.

At the same time, the exhibition helps to promote the widespread dissemination and implementation of sustainable development education among young people. By influencing the student population, it extends to the broader community, gradually fostering a societal consensus on environmental awareness and sustainable lifestyles.

The materials used in the thematic exhibits reflect the consistent sustainability principles of BENTU design. Leveraging Minmetals' regional industrial chain, non-degradable and hard-to-reuse mining waste from daily use is crushed and recycled as valuable "renewable biomass" for secondary design.

By mixing approximately 50% to 80% slag and other solid waste with BTPC, and after multiple experiments, an ideal material ratio was achieved. This allows particles of different mesh sizes to interlock, creating a more stable structure.

The Minmetals Wanjing Songya project is a pioneering pilot for promoting sustainable products by Minmetals Real Estate's Central China regional company. This project is located in the high-end residential area of Songya Lake Ecological New City in Changsha County, Hunan Province. Education infrastructure has always been one of the core standards for the development of Minmetals Wanjing series projects.

Stool - Liang Y

Material / Size

BTPC、Coal Ash、Iron Slag、Steel Slag

2000 × 1700 × H445 mm

Stool - Pai

Material / Size

BTPC、Coal Ash、Stainless Steel、Iron Slag＆Steel Slag / Chaozhou ceramics and waste porcelain sand

1200 × 500 × H440 mm

3D Printed Bench

Material

BTPC、Coal Ash、Iron Slag、Steel Slag