SSAB is taking the lead in decarbonizing the steel industry

A collaboration that can drive sustainability in ways we can only begin to imagine

Volvo Group and SSAB to collaborate on the world’s first vehicles of fossil-free steel.

Not long from now, wind turbines can be fossil free

There is more to this than meets the eye. Wind power is fossil free, but wind turbines are made of steel. For every tonne of steel produced in the world, almost two tonnes of CO₂ are emitted as well. One or two wind turbine might not make much of a difference. But think of all the wind turbines across the globe. All the cars. All the trains. The good news is, this is all about to change. Together with our partners LKAB and Vattenfall, we have come up with HYBRIT, a way to produce steel without emitting CO₂.

Go fossil-free

Fossil-free steel news in focus

SSAB and Faurecia to collaborate on fossil-free steel for automotive seat structures

SSAB is teaming up with Faurecia to jointly explore the development of fossil-free advanced high-strength steel for use in the automotive seating business.

Volvo Group and SSAB to collaborate on the world’s first vehicles of fossil-free steel

Volvo Group and SSAB have signed a collaboration agreement on research, development, serial production and commercialization of the world’s first vehicles to be made of fossil-free steel.

Nov 7 2022

SSAB attends COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt

SSAB is taking part in meetings and seminars in conjunction with the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP27, which this year is hosted by Egypt. SSAB will, as part of Business Sweden’s delegation, raise the need for enabling regulatory frameworks and a level playing field as well as highlight the importance of partnerships and cross-sector co-operation to reach Paris Agreement targets.

Oct 12 2022

HYBRIT: New research shows hydrogen-reduced iron has superior properties

New research within the HYBRIT project, driven by SSAB, LKAB and Vattenfall, shows superior results on the properties and quality of the hydrogen direct reduced sponge iron (H-DRI) made using HYBRIT technology. Test results prove that the direct reduction of iron ore using hydrogen offers a superior product that is easy to handle, transport and store. It also virtually eliminates CO\2\ emissions in the reduction process.

Sep 22 2022

HYBRIT: Milestone reached – pilot facility for hydrogen storage up and running

SSAB, LKAB and Vattenfall's HYBRIT pilot facility for the storage of fossil-free hydrogen gas is now in operation in Luleå. The rock cavern storage facility is the first of its kind in the world for storing fossil-free hydrogen gas. The two-year test period will now start and continue until 2024, which means that HYBRIT has taken another important step in developing the overall value chain for fossil-free iron and steel production.

SSAB aims to hit the market with the world’s first fossil-free steel in 2026

Decarbonizing the steelmaking process is non-negotiable if the industry wants to successfully transition from being one of the highest CO₂ emitters to a sustainable, fossil-free actor in the global value chain. Although SSAB is already one of the world’s most CO₂-efficient steel companies, their new pioneering approach to steel production is leading the way to providing quality steel with zero CO₂ emissions.

A PIONEERING APPROACH

Fossil-free steel ready to meet the demand for green solutions

Consumers increasingly say they want environmentally sustainable products. This puts pressure to create a sustainable fossil-free supply chain and on the entire steel making process, from mining to retailing.

THE PRESSURE IS ON

Phases

2016–2017

Pre-feasibility study

2016

Pre-feasibility 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

Feasibility 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

2025–2030

Commercial volume plant trials and transformation

2025

Transformation - BF* to EAF** at SSAB Oxelösund
HYBRIT demo plant

2026
SSAB fossil-free steel on market

Around 2030
Transformation – BFs to minimills with EAFs at SSAB Raahe & SSAB Luleå

* BF = Blast furnace. **EAF = Electric arc furnace

FAQs: the big questions answered

Fossil-free fuel is on the way! In 2026, SSAB aims to launch its pioneering fossil-free premium grade steel – revolutionizing the industry by implementing a steelmaking process that does not create fossil-fuel CO₂ emissions.

GET ALL THE ANSWERS

Question 1.
What is SSAB’s main objective for developing fossil-free steel?

The steel industry is currently one of the highest CO₂ emitters, accounting for 7% of all emissions globally. While SSAB is already one of the world’s most CO₂ efficient steelmakers, we know that the industry still has a long way to go. Our objective is to lead the steel industry to a decarbonized future.

Question 14.
Does fossil-free steel have better properties than other steels?

The quality and properties of fossil-free steel will be the same as SSABs steel of today. The properties of SSAB’s steel are created in the steelmaking, rolling and heat treatment processes, which will remain the same. The only difference in the process is that the energy used will be exclusively fossil-free electricity and other fossil-free fuels.

Question 17.
What is the timeline for commercial deliveries?

SSAB is on target to deliver the first commercial products in 2026.

Five reasons to choose fossil-free steel

Why choose fossil-free steel for your business when the cost price is higher than traditional steel and the bottom line might be impacted? Adding economic and environmental value to your business by investing in steel that has created zero carbon emissions during its production is just one factor; your business investment today is a commitment to improving tomorrow’s environment, for everyone.

5-4-3-2-1

Building a sustainable future with fossil-free steel

The global challenge of halting and reversing current rates of climate change is urgent. The steel industry has the potential to play a significant role in reducing carbon dioxide emissions both in the production phase and by supporting current rates of recycling.

TAKING ON A GLOBAL CHALLENGE

How fossil-free steel will impact your industry

Automotive companies accelerate towards a sustainable future

Sustainable product lifecycles are key if automotive companies are to realize growth ambitions while also meeting green production targets. Fossil-free steel from SSAB can play a pivotal role in helping the automotive industry become sustainable.

SSAB’s fossil-free steel set to be a sustainability win and profit driver in the heavy transport sector

Globalization and free trade have rapidly transformed the way we live, work, and do business. Supply chains and transportation networks that criss-cross the globe have enabled great improvements in standards of living.

Our future cities need to be built in a more sustainable way. A key to this is using better construction materials, such as fossil-free steel and bio-based coatings.

There are only a few industries as closely intertwined as steel and construction. For over a century, the two sectors have developed together, and now the future of that relationship is sustainability.

Advance to your point of interest

HYBRIT development

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.

Partners

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.

Video

YouTube is where we publish all of our films, including informative films about the company and steel, and films for people interested in working at SSAB.