Ukraine considers using red sludge from Mykolaiv alumina plant in roads after Korea pilot tests

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Authorities in Ukraine’s Mykolaiv region are considering launching a pilot project to use industrial sludge, including possible alumina red sludge, in road construction after experimental testing in South Korea reportedly showed positive durability results.

The proposal was discussed by Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration head Vitalii Kim during a broadcast with Media Center Ukraine following his visit to South Korea. According to Kim, cooperation with Korean companies has been ongoing since 2023, during which Ukraine supplied industrial sludge samples for testing in road-building technologies.

Kim said an experimental road section built in South Korea using the material remained stable for around a year, encouraging authorities to consider similar applications in Ukraine once the technology receives certification.

Mykolaiv alumina sludge remains environmental concern

Although officials did not specify which industrial sludge was used in the tests, attention has focused on the sludge reservoirs of the Mykolaiv Alumina Plant, where large volumes of red sludge from alumina production have accumulated over decades.

Red sludge, also known as bauxite residue, is a by-product generated during alumina refining and remains one of the aluminium industry’s major environmental challenges due to storage risks, dust emissions and long-term waste management concerns.

Kim said the proposed project could serve a dual purpose by helping repair roads while also reducing accumulated industrial waste in the region.

Earlier, the Mykolaiv Alumina Plant had also explored the possibility of processing red sludge into construction materials such as cement, with discussions involving the potential utilisation of around 180,000 tonnes of sludge annually.

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Safety and environmental scrutiny remain key issues

Despite the potential economic and environmental benefits, the proposal is likely to face close scrutiny from local communities and environmental experts.

Residents living near the sludge fields in areas including Korablev District, Lymany and Halytsynove have long raised concerns over dust pollution, health risks and the environmental impact of the waste storage sites located near the Buh estuary.

Officials said any future pilot project would require technological certification and environmental verification before implementation. Local observers have also called for greater transparency regarding the exact type of sludge being used, safety assessments conducted and long-term monitoring plans.