SSAB is taking the lead in decarbonizing the steel industry
SSAB is taking the lead in decarbonizing the steel industry, which today generates 7% of global greenhouse gas emissions.HYBRIT is a new revolutionary steelmaking technology. With HYBRIT technology, SSAB aims to be the first steel company in the world to bring fossil-free steel to the market already in 2026. SSAB will be practically fossil free by 2045.
Together with our partners and customers, SSAB aims to create a fossil-free value chain, from the mine to the end-product.
What is HYBRIT?
In 2016, SSAB, LKAB (Europe’s largest iron ore producer) and Vattenfall (one of Europe’s largest energy companies) joined forces to create HYBRIT – an initiative that endeavors to revolutionize steelmaking. Using HYBRIT technology, SSAB aims to replace coking coal, traditionally needed for ore-based steelmaking, with fossil-free electricity and hydrogen. The result will be the world’s first fossil-free steelmaking technology, with virtually no carbon footprint.
Our goal is to reduce Sweden’s CO2 emissions by 10% and Finland’s by 7%.
Why Fossil-free steel?
The steel industry is one of the highest CO2-emitting industries, accounting for 7% of CO2 emissions globally. A growing global population, an increasingly higher standard of living and greater urbanization will trigger a rise in global steel demand. Recycled scrap will not sufficiently meet the growing demand for new steel. The carbon footprint in the steel industry is thus a challenge for Europe and the rest of the world.
SSAB is already one of the world’s most CO2-efficient steel companies. However, we want to do more. Sweden has unique conditions for this kind of project, with good access to fossil-free electricity, the highest-quality iron ore and a specialized, innovative steel industry. SSAB has also started to investigate the possibilities of broadening the initiative to include Finland.
The HYBRIT initiative will contribute to reaching the global climate goals under the Paris Agreement and the national climate goals in Sweden and Finland.
Our goal is to reduce Sweden’s CO2 emissions by 10% and Finland’s by 7%. We believe that by taking the lead and showing that it is possible to decarbonize the steel industry, others will follow. The potential is enormous.
All SSAB production sites will be converted
SSAB will cut its CO2 emissions in Sweden by 25% by as early as 2025, through the conversion of the blast furnaces in Oxelösund, Sweden, to an electric arc furnace. Between 2030-2040, the plan is to convert the blast furnaces in Luleå, Sweden and Raahe, Finland to eliminate most of the remaining CO2 emissions.
The company anticipates that our Iowa operations will be powered by renewable energy by 2022. Our Americas operations will also be able to offer fossil-free steel products starting in 2026, utilizing the sponge iron developed using HYBRIT technology and produced in Sweden. At the same time, SSAB has started the process of phasing out fossil fuels used in rolling mills and heat treatment plants throughout the company, to reach the goal of becoming fossil-free by 2045.
Phases
2016 - 2017
2016
2017
A joint venture company between SSAB, LKAB and Vattenfall
Pre-feasability study
2016
- Prefeasability study with support from Swedish Energy Agency
- 4-year R&D project with support from Swedish Energy
2017
A joint venture company between SSAB, LKAB and Vattenfall
2018 - 2024
Feb 2018
Decision for pilot phase
2019 - 2021
Fossil-free pellets trial
2020-2024
Hydrogen-based reduction and smelting trials
2021/22 - 2024
Hydrogen storage
Feasability study pilot plant trials
Feb 2018
Decision for pilot phase
2019 - 2021
Fossil-free pellets trial
2020-2024
Hydrogen-based reduction and smelting trials
2021/22 - 2024
Hydrogen storage
2025 - 2045
2025
2026
SSAB fossil-free steel on market
2030 - 2040
Transformation - BFs to EAFs at SSAB Raahe & SSAB Luleå
2045
SSAB fossil-free
* BF = Blast furnace. **EAF = Electric arc frunace
Commercial volume plant trials and transformation
2025
- Transformation - BF* to EAF** at SSAB Oxelösund
- HYBRIT demo plant
2026
SSAB fossil-free steel on market
2030 - 2040
Transformation - BFs to EAFs at SSAB Raahe & SSAB Luleå
2045
SSAB fossil-free
* BF = Blast furnace. **EAF = Electric arc frunace
What is fossil-free steel?
- Fossil-free steel is steel produced using HYBRIT technology
- Fossil-free steel is a premium product without a fossil CO2 footprint. This means no fossil CO2 emissions during production and that we use fossil-free sponge iron
- Using fossil-free sponge iron as external input material, only internal scrap from fossil-free steel production, fossil-free electricity and no fossil fuels
Benefits of fossil-free steel
Conversion to fossil-free steel is driven by customer demand, where end-users are increasingly seeking sustainable materials. As vehicles and other machinery are reducing or eliminating their emissions in use, the materials used in these products will have the main impact on lifecycle CO2 emissions.
This means that the development of fossil-free steels is creating business opportunities and competitive advantages for both SSAB and its customers.
How much will fossil-free steel cost?
We believe that fossil-free steel is a sought after premium product for several customer segments. Factors like the price of electricity, coking coal and carbon dioxide emissions are crucial for the possibility of making fossil-free steel commercially viable in the long term. We are convinced that fossil-free steel will be able to compete with traditional steel in the future.
How will fossil-free steel affect steel qualities and performance
Although we are talking about fossil-free steel, the major change in the process is actually replacing the traditional iron-making process. The downstream conversion of iron into steel will use the same advanced SSAB technology as today, which means that the product properties will not be affected/will remain unchanged.
Do you want to discuss of the possibilities of fossil-free steel in your products
Videos and presentations
A piece of the future - Episode 4: Fossil-free electricity is the key
Watch the video to learn more about the HYBRIT project – Innovation needs to happen along the whole value chain.
A piece of the future - Episode 3: It starts in the mine
Watch the video to learn more about the HYBRIT project – We will change the future and the industry.
Want to know more?
In order to carry out the HYBRIT initiative, significant contributions are needed from social entities including government, research institutions and universities. The project's success will be impacted by access to fossil-free electricity, improved infrastructure and rapid expansion of high voltage networks, faster permit processes and the government’s active support for the pilot and demonstration facilities and long-term support at EU level.
Are you curious about HYBRIT and want to know more?
More about
HYBRIT Development
HYBRIT Development is a joint venture company of SSAB, LKAB and Vattenfall. The three companies each own one third of the company, which is seeking to develop a steelmaking process that emits water instead of CO2.
LKAB
LKAB is an international and high-tech mining and minerals group that mines and upgrades the unique iron ore of northern Sweden for the global steel market. Sustainability is core to our business and our ambition is to be one of the industry’s most innovative, resource-efficient and responsible companies.
Vattenfall
Vattenfall is a leading European energy company, which for more than 100 years has electrified industries, supplied energy to people’s homes and modernised our way of living through innovation and cooperation. We now want to make fossil-free living possible within one generation.
Dec
23
2020
Green light for fossil-free steel in Oxelösund
The Land and Environment Court has decided to grant SSAB Oxelösund an environmental permit to convert its steelmaking operations and reduce carbon dioxide activities by 2025. This also means that we will take a step nearer towards fossil-free steel production across SSAB in 2045.
Oct
5
2020
HYBRIT’s next step receives support from Swedish Energy Agency
The Swedish Energy Agency has decided to contribute SEK 22 million in support to HYBRIT - SSAB’s, LKAB’s and Vattenfall’s joint initiative for fossil-free steel – for a comprehensive feasibility study. The study is part of the work on the planned demonstration plant, which is an important link in the development of an overall fossil-free steel value chain.
Sep
2
2020
SSAB joins the European Clean Hydrogen Alliance
SSAB, using HYBRIT technology, which endeavors to revolutionize steelmaking, aims to replace coking coal, traditionally needed for ore-based steelmaking, with fossil-free electricity and hydrogen. SSAB has now also joined the European Clean Hydrogen Alliance.