"These contracts reflect our renewed ambitions to grow the metals and minerals business following two years of successful transformation. Our relationships in both contracts demonstrate our capacity to provide long-term value to customer operations in parallel with lasting benefit to the environment," Harsco president and chief executive Nicholas Grasberger said in a statement. 

Under one of the agreements, Harsco will provide on-site slag handling, metal recovery and briquetting for Hebei Iron and Steel Group’s Tangshan Stainless Steel works. Harsco already provides the facility with environmental services related to the commercial sale of its slag co-products. 

As a part of the contract, Harsco will employ its patented steam box technology for steel slag processing. Harsco said the technology provides for faster cooling times, reduced water and energy consumption and more efficient slag sizing than conventional methods.

Harsco said the other agreement extends its relationship with one of Brazil’s largest integrated steelmakers, for which it has been providing on-site scrap handling, slag transport, metal recovery, and melt shop support. Harsco said it has been providing continuous support to the mill's flat steel operations for more than three decades and to its mini-mill since its inception in 2014.