SSAB challenges with fossil-free steel – how is your company taking on the future at next Nordbygg?
2022-09-15
During Nordbygg 2022, many exhibitors competed to present new greener solutions for the construction industry. There was great interest in the news, not least in SSAB’s stand, where fossil-free steel was on display. At Nordbygg 2026, the first series-produced products with the new production technology are expected to be presented.
Swedish production is kicking up the pace for a position as a world leader in the transformation towards a fossil-free industry. The role of the construction industry is central, which not least was seen by Svante Axelsson, the government’s coordinator for Fossilfritt Sverige (Fossil-free Sweden), was at the fair to see the industry’s progress in the stands and to share his view on what the construction industry can do to become fossil-free.
– The increasing competition on sustainable solutions drives the development, not politicians, said Axelsson who was glad to see that the industry is out of the starting blocks.
The market’s driving role was also confirmed by SSAB’s representatives on site.
– The increasing demand and competition makes us all run faster. At SSAB, our goal used to be a fossil-free production by 2045. We have changed that goal to 2030 and took off 15 years of the transformation process, says Magnus Andersson, sales manager for SSAB’s product GreenCoat, a coat of paint where the fossil solvent has been replaced by rapeseed oil.
Fossil-free steel will be presented
The industry giant SSAB was one of the first companies that chose to focus on the transformation work, among other things by showing fossil-free steel at its stand.
– Nordbygg 2022 was great fun, especially meeting up with all industry colleagues after the pandemic. Many were curious about the new steel, but I am looking forward even more to 2026, when we will be able to present finished fossil-free products. Together with Volvo we have already built a dumper, the world’s first vehicle made of fossil-free steel. We have tested the production technology for a long time, now it’s time for serial production, Magnus Andersson says enthusiastically.
In 2026, SSAB is expected to replace the traditional blast furnace technology with so called mini mills, a new production system with electric arc furnaces and rolling mills.
With a materials production in transformation, there is concern for the permanency of the fossil-free and CO2 reducing alternatives, where green concrete is something that is being particularly discussed. But Magnus Andersson wants to calm the industry down regarding the new steel.
– The performance of the fossil-free steel is just as good as previous steel. The big difference is that we release steam from our factories rather than CO2, for the environment and for future generations’ sake! I am proud to be a part of this journey!
The next opportunity to challenge the industry and show off your company’s progress at Nordbygg will be on April 23-26, 2024.