Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) computes potential environmental impacts of a product or process. However, LCAs in the industrial sector are generally delivered through static yearly analyses which cannot capture any temporal dynamics of inventory data. Moreover, LCA must deal with differences across background models, Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) methods and specific rules of environmental labels, together with their developments over time and the difficulty of the non-expert organization staff to effectively interpret LCA results. A case study which discusses how to manage these barriers and their relevance is currently lacking. Here, we fill this gap by proposing a general methodology to develop a modular tool which integrates spreadsheets, LCA software, coding and visualization modules that can be independently modified while leaving the architecture unchanged. We test the tool within the ORI Martin secondary steelmaking plant, finding that it can manage (i) a high amount of primary foreground data to build a dynamic LCA; (ii) different background models, LCIA methods and environmental labels rules; (iii) interactive visualizations. Then, we outline the relevance of these capabilities since (i) temporal dynamics of foreground inventory data affect monthly LCA results, which may vary by ±14% around the yearly value; (ii) background datasets, LCIA methods and environmental label rules may alter LCA results by 20%; (iii) more than 10⁵ LCA values can be clearly visualized through dynamically updated dashboards. Our work paves the way towards near-real-time LCA monitoring of single product batches, while contextualizing the company sustainability targets within global environmental trends.

This study demonstrated the physical–chemical and technical feasibility of recycling EAF slag granulated by rapid cooling with gas to produce continuous glass fibers with a basalt-like composition. To adjust the chemical composition, a silica fume-based secondary raw material was used, together with other additives. Different compositions were tested: 50% EAF slag and 50% silica fume (sample C1); 40% EAF slag, 50% silica fume and 10% Na₂O (sample C2); 40% EAF slag, 50% silica fume, 5% Na₂O and 5% K₂O (sample C3); 20% EAF slag, 57% silica fume, 10% Na₂O and 13% alkali earth oxides (sample C4); 26% EAF slag, 35% silica fume, 7% CaO and 12% Na₂O (sample C5); 26% EAF slag, 35% silica fume, 4% CaO and 15% Na₂O (sample C6). The last composition allowed obtaining fibers up to 5–6 m long, with a diameter between 60 and 180 µm. The process involved using a refractory material crucible with a calibrated bottom orifice as a single nozzle bushing. The optimal temperature range for fiber forming was between 1115 and 1125 °C, with a linear drawing speed of about 2 m/s. Preliminary mechanical tests were performed. Based on these results, potential further recycling applications of granulated EAF slag in the production of basalt-like glass for noncontinuous fiber production for mechanical reinforcement or for thermal–acoustic insulation can also be foreseen.