World’s first fossil-free steel delivered to Volvo

Sweden’s SSAB began delivering the world’s first fossil-free steel to the Volvo Group, as the latest development for the Hybrit project.

Hybrit was set up in 2016 and is owned by SSAB, energy firm Vattenfall and LKAB, a mining and minerals group. Hybrit is to use 100 percent fossil-free hydrogen rather than coal in steel production.

“The first fossil-free steel in the world is not only a breakthrough for SSAB, it represents proof that it’s possible to make the transition and significantly reduce the global carbon footprint of the steel industry,” Martin Lindqvist, SSAB’s president and CEO, said.

The company said its goal is to develop the technology so it can be demonstrated at an industrial scale, as early as 2026.

“Using HYBRIT technology, SSAB has the potential to reduce Sweden’s total carbon dioxide emissions by approximately ten per cent and Finland’s by approximately seven per cent,” said the company in a statement.