SSAB, Greenbrier and Alter Showcase Circular Steel Collaboration at SSAB Iowa

Nearly 70 community leaders, elected officials, higher education representatives and industry stakeholders gathered at SSAB Iowa (Montpelier) yesterday as SSAB, The Greenbrier Companies and Alter Trading Corporation showcased a collaboration demonstrating how recycling, manufacturing and steelmaking collaborate to support a more sustainable future. The event included presentations from executives representing all three companies and the unveiling of a gondola railcar manufactured using SSAB Zero™ steel and loaded with recycled metal. The railcar on display is one of 50 railcars built through the collaboration.

The event presented the three companies' combined effort to demonstrate a real-world circular steel system. Alter processes recycled metal that is used to produce SSAB Zero™ steel at SSAB Iowa. Greenbrier then manufactures that steel into railcars. The railcars then transport Alter’s recycled metal back to SSAB Iowa, helping keep valuable materials in use and supporting future steel production.

Jack Grundfest – President & CEO, Alter Trading Corp., Tom Cox – President, SSAB Americas and Jack Isselmann – Senior VP External Affairs & Communications

Guests heard from Tom Cox, President of SSAB Americas; Jack Isselmann, SVP, External Affairs & Communications for The Greenbrier Companies and Jack Grundfest, President & CEO of Alter Trading, during a program focused on innovation, manufacturing, recycling, and sustainability. The event wrapped up with a trackside viewing of a gondola railcar loaded with recycled metal and positioned outside SSAB Iowa's administration facility.

The collaboration begins with steel production at SSAB Iowa, where recycled steel and fossil-free electricity are used to produce SSAB Zero™ steel, a product available exclusively from the company's Iowa operations.

“This joint effort demonstrates what's possible when manufacturers, recyclers and steel producers work together toward a common goal,” said Cox. “Today, our guests had the opportunity to see a circular steel system in action. It's a powerful example of the innovation happening in Iowa and the role partnerships can play in advancing high strength steels and sustainable steelmaking.  This project perfectly encapsulates SSAB’s vision of creating a stronger, lighter, and more sustainable world.”

From there, the story moves into manufacturing. Greenbrier transformed SSAB Zero™ steel into a fleet of 50 gondola railcars engineered for demanding industrial service. The railcar displayed during the event showed attendees how lower-emissions steel can perform in real-world applications. One of those railcars, loaded with recycled metal, served as the centerpiece of the outdoor reveal.

“These railcars represent more than simply an advancement in transportation equipment,” said Brian Comstock, Executive Vice President and President, the Americas of The Greenbrier Companies. “They show how advanced manufacturing and strong partnerships support both performance and sustainability.”

The final piece of the story begins with recycling and material recovery. Alter Trading processes and prepares materials for reuse, providing recycled metal that supports future steel production and keeps valuable resources in circulation.

“Every day, Alter works to recover and prepare materials for their next use,” said Grundfest. “This project demonstrates how recycled materials can continue creating value through multiple lifecycles. Seeing a railcar built with SSAB Zero steel and loaded with recycled metal brings that story to life.”

The collaboration also highlights Iowa's important role in advanced manufacturing, recycling and steel production. Both SSAB Iowa and Alter Trading operate substantial operations in the state.

Produced exclusively at SSAB Iowa, SSAB Zero™ steel is manufactured using recycled steel and fossil-free electricity, resulting in near-zero fossil carbon emissions from steel production. SSAB Zero delivers the same high quality, strength and performance as other SSAB steels while helping customers advance their sustainability goals.

About Alter
Founded in 1898, Alter Trading Corporation is a 128-year-old, fifth generation, privately owned company. Alter is ISO 9001 and 14001 certified, has 1,600 employees, and operates 82 metal recycling facilities and five trading offices in eleven states, along with a sales office in Singapore. Headquartered in St. Louis, Alter provides a direct supply of quality products and services, sourced both in America and abroad, to customers in the United States and throughout the world. Read more about our footprint and operations at www.altertrading.com.

About Greenbrier
Greenbrier, headquartered in Lake Oswego, Oregon, is a leading international supplier of equipment and services to global freight transportation markets. Through its wholly-owned subsidiaries and joint ventures, Greenbrier designs, builds and markets freight railcars in North America, Europe, and Brazil. We are a leading provider of freight railcar wheel services, parts, maintenance and retrofitting services in North America. Greenbrier owns a lease fleet of approximately 20,600 railcars that originate primarily from Greenbrier's manufacturing operations. Greenbrier offers railcar management, regulatory compliance services and leasing services to railroads and other railcar owners in North America. Learn more about Greenbrier at www.gbrx.com.