How SSAB is changing the game with sustainable steel production

Steel is everywhere. It is part of our buildings, cars, household appliances, wind towers, bridges and much more. Yet. the steel industry remains one of the biggest contributors to global CO₂ emissions. If  everthing could be made using steels with a lower climate impact, 7% of the world’s fossil CO₂ emissions would disappear.

SSAB aims to be the first to offer fossil-free steel to the market and largely eliminate carbon dioxide emissions from its own operations. The company’s Nordic mills are among the most CO₂ efficient in the world. But that is not enough. And that is why SSAB has pioneered a game-changing shift. Using HYBRIT® technology, SSAB delivered the world’s first fossil-free steel as a proof of concept in 2021. By introducing SSAB Zero™ steel in 2023, SSAB’s sustainable offering drastically cuts fossil CO₂ emissions in production, marking a major step toward building a fossil-free value chain.

What is fossil-free steel?

SSAB has long been a leader in sustainability. In partnership with LKAB and Vattenfall, the company developed HYBRIT^® technology, the world’s first fossil-free steelmaking process. Instead of using coal, HYBRIT^® technology replaces traditional blast furnaces with hydrogen-reduced sponge iron, emitting only water instead of CO₂. The potential impact? A significant reduction in Sweden’s total CO₂ emissions by 10% and Finland’s by 7% –  a testament to the potential of truly fossil-free steel.

SSAB is taking the next step in its fossil-free transformation, reinforcing its position in the steel industry. The journey begins with the transition of Oxelösund, set to become the first Nordic production site to produce decarbonized steel, including SSAB Zero™ steel and SSAB Fossil-free™ steel. This transformation continues with the construction of a state-of-the-art mini-mill in Luleå, bringing premium steel production into a new era. By 2026, Oxelösund will be fully converted, followed by the startup of the Luleå mini-mill in 2028, ramping up to full capacity the following year.

Why now?

Sustainability is no longer an afterthought tacked onto corporate responsibility reports. The urgency to reduce CO₂ emissions is growing, and companies that want to lead the future must act now – not later. SSAB’s high-strength steels already help customers reduce CO₂ emissions across their value chain. With SSAB’s steels with virtually no fossil carbon emissions, companies will be able to push these reductions even further – knowing the materials used in their products are produced in a more sustainable way.

The future is here – what’s your move?

SSAB is revolutionizing steelmaking. By investing in decarbonized steel,and starting to use SSAB Zero™ steel which is available now, businesses can future-proof their operations and gain a competitive edge in the transition to a sustainable economy. And the shift starts today.

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Customer products made with SSAB Zero™ steel

SSAB Zero™ enables sustainable performance, delivering the same top quality and all other requirements you would expect from SSAB. Learn more about products made with less CO₂ emissions.