Get more insights about fossil-free steel

SSAB aims to create a fossil-free value chain together with our partners and customers and secure our position as the driving force in the green transition of the steel industry. Already in 2021, we delivered the first fossil-free steel, a steel made from hydrogen-reduced iron produced at HYBRIT´s pilot plant in Luleå Sweden, to a customer. In 2026, we plan to bring fossil-free steel to market as a commercial product.

3 reasons why fossil-free steel is the real "green" alternative

  1. The process involves no fossil fuels or CO2 emissions. In traditional steelmaking, the main source of CO2 emissions comes from the use of coal and coke to remove oxygen from iron ore. By replacing this with a direct reduction process using hydrogen, coal is completely removed from the equation.
  1. The only by-product is water – and even that’s debatable. When hydrogen replaces coal as a reduction agent, the only by-product is water instead of carbon dioxide. And even then, it’s not really a by-product, since the water is used to produce more hydrogen, thus creating a closed cycle.
  1. Paves the way for complete CO2 elimination. If the hydrogen used in the reduction process has been produced with fossil-free electricity, in other words, green hydrogen, then virtually all CO2 emissions from production have been eliminated making it a truly fossil-free steel.
Reduction with coal
Reduction with hydrogen

Download your guide to navigate in the world of green steel

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Emissions reductions in the steel industry - A guideline on green steel
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Sharing fossil-free steel with the world

Development at SSAB of the world’s first-ever fossil-free steel is moving fast. Discover how patenting the technology will benefit future partners and increase global impact.

Martin pei

SSAB and POSCO: blazing a trail towards decarbonized steel

Sweden’s SSAB and South Korea’s POSCO are showing the way towards a greener future, co-hosting a global forum and promoting inspirational knowledge exchange.

croup of people in control room

Learn more about the HYBRIT research

HYBRIT is a unique research initiative with its eye on the future. In the research library, you may find relevant articles and reports to get more in-depth knowledge about the production of fossil-free iron ore pellets.

You are probably wrong about ...

eiffel tower

How many tonnes of CO2 to build the Eiffel Tower?

The Eiffel Tower is made from 7 300 tonnes of steel. Using standard steel production methods, can you guess what its carbon footprint would be?

11 000 tonnes
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Almost. The actual carbon footprint if they would have used today’s standard production methods would be 13500 tons. Using SSAB fossil-free steel it would be zero.

Explore more what it means to you

13 500 tonnes
Close

That’s right. If they used today’s standard production methods the carbon footprint would be 13500 tons. Using SSAB fossil-free steel it would be zero.

Explore more and what it means for you

16 000 tonnes
Close

Almost. The actual carbon footprint if they would have used today’s standard production methods would be 13500 tons. Using SSAB fossil-free steel it would be zero.

Explore more what it means to you

What is fossil-free steel and why now?

Read about how SSAB is changing the game with sustainable steel production.

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The future of the automotive industry: Eco friendly cars are here to stay

Eco friendly cars are changing. With collaborations in the automotive and steel industry joining major players together, the dream of a carbon-neutral car is getting closer.

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Automotive companies accelerate towards a sustainable future

Sustainable product lifecycles are key if automotive companies are to realize growth ambitions while also meeting green production targets. Fossil-free steel from SSAB can play a pivotal role in helping the automotive industry become sustainable.

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Volvo Group and SSAB to collaborate on the world’s first vehicles of fossil-free steel

Volvo Group and SSAB have signed a collaboration agreement on research, development, serial production and commercialization of the world’s first vehicles to be made of fossil-free steel.

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Why fossil-free steel is the future of heavy transport

Globalization and free trade have rapidly transformed the way we live, work, and do business. Supply chains and transportation networks that criss-cross the globe have enabled great improvements in standards of living.

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Not all green steel is fossil-free steel – here’s why

The interest in “green steel” is increasing. But when no official definition exists, how do you know if you’re a victim of greenwashing?

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Top six reasons for your business to switch to fossil-free steel

Fossil-free steel has the same characteristics as traditional steel. You won’t notice any difference, but the planet will.

Fredrik N G Andersson

“Decarbonization is possible, but it requires new thinking”

Pressure to be more sustainable is being exerted at both ends of the supply chain, according to Professor Fredrik N G Andersson from Lund University.

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Why future cities need to be built in a more sustainable way

The key to achieving sustainably built cities is using better construction materials, such as fossil-free steel and bio-based coatings.

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Join us on the journey towards a fossil-free future

Contact us to find out more on how our steels can contribute to your sustainability goals and future growth. ​ ​