SSAB and K-Tec start partnership in fossil-free steel for sustainable earthmoving equipment

Part of the K.A. Group, K-Tec takes the first step toward eliminating carbon emissions by focusing on material selection. As a fossil-free partner to SSAB, K-Tec will have access to pilot deliveries of SSAB Fossil-free™ steel, which has virtually zero carbon dioxide emissions from the steelmaking process. The steel initially will be used in K-Tec's key products serving the construction and mining industries.

“This partnership demonstrates the commitment from both companies toward reducing carbon emissions,” says JohnnySjöström, Head of Special Steels at SSAB. “Our transformation to change the way steel is made is well underway, and we are proud to already have reached this far in our journey towards a fossil-free future.”

“We are excited to partner with SSAB as they strive to provide environmental steel solutions to advance towards a sustainable future,” says K.A. Group's President and CEO, Dan Pashniak. "We are thrilled to have our K-Tec earthmoving equipment brand as the first scraper solution to incorporate SSAB Fossil-free™ steel, continuing our commitment to innovation. It is also an honor for our organization to be the first Canadian manufacturing partner to collaborate with SSAB in this crucial initiative to lead our industry."

This collaborative initiative is K-Tec’s next step in reducing emissions and improving sustainability for its customers. The company already designs, manufactures and delivers strong, lightweight earthmoving equipment built with SSAB’s Hardox^® wear steel and Strenx^® performance steel brands.

As a market leader in premium steels, SSAB plans to revolutionize the entire steelmaking process by producing steel with virtually zero carbon dioxide emissions. The pilot deliveries of SSAB Fossil-free™ steel are made using the unique HYBRIT-technology, which was jointly developed by SSAB, iron ore producer LKAB and energy company Vattenfall. It replaces the coking coal traditionally used for iron ore-based steelmaking with fossil-free electricity and green hydrogen. The by-product is water instead of carbon dioxide emissions.