Sustainability Expedition: where steel meets sustainability

We gathered responses from over 3,000 people in Sweden and Finland from 4–18 December 2018, to gauge the public’s view of sustainability and what is important for protecting our planet. The results were weighted to be representative of national demographics of both working and studying Finnish and Swedish people.

Some important findings included the fact that more than 80% of people felt that climate change discussion has been more intensive lately. The majority in both countries also felt that climate change is one of the biggest threats to humankind, along with resource scarcity, pollution, and population growth. 

But whose responsibility is it? Only around 20% of people said that they were aware of their local companies’ actions and targets regarding sustainability. Companies were seen as equally responsible for addressing climate change, on par with international agreements and NGOs. More clarity was called for and most respondents were interested in more sustainability discussions, especially related to specific actions that companies are taking. As a company, we must provide these facts.

HYBRIT, or Hydrogen Breakthrough Ironmaking Technology, is a joint project with Europe’s largest iron ore producer, LKAB, and one of Europe’s largest electricity producers, Vattenfall. The technology replaces coking coal, traditionally needed for ore-based steel production, with hydrogen. By using hydrogen gas as a reducing agent, the by-product of the process is water rather than carbon dioxide – cutting CO₂ emissions from steel production. In effect, revolutionizing steel with the world’s first fossil-free steel making technology.

This ambitious project is already underway with the building of the pilot plant in Luleå, Northern Sweden, which will be up and running in 2020. The goal is to have a solution for fossil-free steel by 2035 and become totally fossil-free by 2045.

With this new process taken into use, SSAB will be able to eliminate 10% of the CO₂ emissions in Sweden and 7% in Finland. We hope to set the precedent for more sustainable steel production all over the world in order to combat climate change.

The Sustainability Expedition is a journey that requires cooperation and partnership. We work closely with local actors, including governments and universities, to make sustainability plans into realities. Within SSAB, we encourage a team effort that includes all employees throughout the company.

We continue to develop our brand and our position as an influential actor within the global steel industry. This journey also requires new visions for sustainability, as well as new thinkers. Fresh talent is invited to join in the Sustainability Expedition – the next generation of top experts will only strengthen our sustainable leadership for a fossil-free future.