SSAB as an investment

SSAB’s main financial objective is to reach industry leading profitability and to generate solid cash flows, enabling further debt reduction and shareholder dividends.

Strong offering and leading market positions

SSAB has four core markets:

1. Flat carbon steel and tubes in the Nordics
2. Heavy plate in North America
3. Automotive premium steel (Advanced High-Strength Steel, AHSS) globally
4. Special steels (Quenched and Tempered, Q&T and AHSS) globally

SSAB has leading positions in its Nordic and North American home markets. SSAB has an overall market share of 40-45% for flat carbon steels in the Nordic region. In North America, SSAB is the largest producer of heavy plate, with market share approaching 30%.

With its leading products, brands, knowledge and well-invested asset base, SSAB also holds the number one position in the global market for Quenched and Tempered (Q&T) plate and strip and in selected Advanced High-Strength Steels (AHSS) segments. Demand for higher productivity and improved energy efficiency are important drivers in the use of high-strength steels, which provide advantages in the form of stronger, lighter and more durable steel applications. Growth in high-strength steels, services and other premium grades will mean better returns for SSAB since profitability is relatively higher in these areas compared to more standardized products.

Strong balance sheet

SSAB has had a favorable cash flow generation in recent years and the Group was debt-free at the end of 2021.

Cost efficiency

Efficiency efforts are driven through continuous improvement using the SSAB One management philosophy. This includes smaller daily improvements as well as larger projects. SSAB has a yearly process with target setting for continuous improvement efforts as well as an ongoing follow-up process.

Industry-leading profitability

Realization of the strategic growth targets combined with the improved efficiency as a result of continuous improvement is the platform to achieve our financial target of industry-leading profitability. This is defined as the highest EBITDA margin compared to the following peers; ArcelorMittal, Nucor, Salzgitter, Tata Steel Europe, Thyssenkrupp and US Steel. The improvement potential in profitability, a balanced investment level and a strong balance sheet create a solid foundation for cash flow generation during the coming years.

First in fossil-free steel

SSAB is undertaking a strategic roadmap to convert the iron- and steelmaking to new technology, and to be the world’s first steel company to deliver iron ore-based fossil-free steel to the market in 2026. In January 2022, SSAB’s Board took a policy decision to fundamentally transform Nordic strip production and accelerate the company’s green transition. The decision was taken against the background of strongly growing demand for fossil-free steel. The plan is to replace the existing system with new mini-mill technology, which will result in a broader product program and improved cost position. The ambition is to largely eliminate carbon dioxide emissions in our own operations in around 2030, 15 years earlier than previously announced. However, to achieve this ambition, the necessary infrastructure, access to fossil-free electricity in particular, must be in place in time.