
Sustainability
The automotive industry can contribute to a sustainable world by choosing the right material for each application and using the most cost-effective and sustainable production methods.
The automotive industry can contribute to a sustainable world by choosing the right material for each application and using the most cost-effective and sustainable production methods.
Steel has an advantage compared to some other lightweight materials, as it emits less CO2 when being produced. For car manufacturers using Docol®, this translates to a strong argument for sustainability. By comparing the production of steel to the production of aluminum, carbon fiber reinforced plastics and magnesium, it is seen that steel production causes less greenhouse gas emissions. Docol® AHSS is produced in one of the world’s cleanest steel production processes, which means emissions are even lower.
Comparison of kg CO2 per kg of material produced
Source: WorldAutoSteel.
Automotive Life Cycle Assessments drive our future-proofing processes as we decarbonize the production of our advanced high-strength steels for automobiles.
Your game-changing, carbon-neutral vehicle — made from fossil-free steel — might be closer than you think. In 2026, SSAB will offer fossil-free versions of Docol® automotive AHSS steels — with the same premium performance properties as today’s grades. The big difference is that all processes — including the production of hydrogen for our direct reduced iron or DRI — will be done using all renewable energy. For both OEMs and Tier 1s, fossil-free Docol® steel means you will be able to use a familiar and trusted high strength material that very favorably improves your Life Cycle Assessments or LCAs.
Our upcoming breakthrough fossil-free technology is the first true steelmaking transformation for centuries. SSAB customers around the world will still get premium high-strength steel, just adapted to the future.
We’ve already entered into multiple fossil-free partnerships with car OEMs and Tier One suppliers. These partnerships will result in the first truly sustainable steel applications for the cars of tomorrow.
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.
Download our third-party Environmental Product Declarations (EPD).