Epiroc broadens zero-emission product range using recycled steel
Swedish mining equipment manufacturer Epiroc, who strives to accelerate the decarbonization of the mining industry, recently signed a delivery agreement for SSAB Zero™, a recycled steel produced using fossil-free energy.
Epiroc’s series of battery-electric mine trucks and loaders already enable zero-emissions underground operations. Now, through its long-standing partnership with SSAB, Epiroc plans to use emission-free steel in the manufacturing of its customer solutions to further reduce their environmental impact. The latest delivery agreement will see the introduction of SSAB Zero™ as early as in Q3 2023.
“It is important to take a holistic, life cycle approach and consider the complete value chain of our solutions,” says Anders Hedqvist, Head of strategic projects, at Epiroc’s Underground division. “While electrification is one area where we are constantly innovating, sourcing of material is just as important. In fact, steel is responsible for more than half of our upstream emissions from the production of purchased goods and services (scope 3.1). With SSAB Zero™ we will be able to reduce the carbon footprint of a product without compromising on material characteristics and performance.”
In addition to the new delivery agreement for SSAB Zero™, Epiroc has previously utilized SSAB Fossil-free™ steel, a steel based on iron-ore without fossil fuels, to create the world’s first underground mine truck using fossil-free steel.
“Epiroc’s ambition is to transform mining into a more sustainable industry utilizing emission-free steel from SSAB.”
Sami Niiranen, President Epiroc Underground division
The use of emission-free steel will help Epiroc meet its long-term sustainability ambitions, which are aligned with the Paris Agreement and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as well as its customers’ sustainability targets. The target is to halve the CO2e emissions from its machines sold by 2030, and as soon as 2025, Epiroc aims to offer a complete range of emission-free underground products.
“The quality and properties of SSAB Zero™ will be equal to the steel currently used in Epiroc’s customer solutions, while providing a significantly lower carbon footprint,” says Anders Hedqvist.“ Combined with battery-electric drivelines, our customers will be able to run their operations efficiently, while also meeting the continuously increasing demand to reduce their carbon footprint. This means that we can support our customers in reaching their own sustainability goals even better.”
SSAB Zero™ is made from recycled steel and is produced using fossil-free electricity. This means it has virtually zero fossil carbon emissions (less than 0.05 kg CO2e emissions per kg steel in scope 1 and 2) in operations, including purchased energy and transportation. Since only recycled steel is used for raw material, SSAB Zero™ is a circular product.
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Other customers are also using SSAB Zero™. Read more on why and how.
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What is SSAB Zero™ ?
SSAB Zero™ is steel made using recycled steel and fossil-free energy. It has virtually zero fossil emissions during steel production, without mass balancing or allocation of emission reductions or carbon emission offsetting.
How is SSAB Zero™ steel produced?
The first step in making SSAB Zero™ is to feed the electric arc furnace (EAF) with scrap. Heat is generated from an electric arc between electrodes. Oxygen is blown into the furnace, and lime and slag foamers are added to combine with the impurities and form slag. Molten steel is extracted and poured out via a tapping spout. Across the entire process, only fossil-free electricity and fuels will be used – resulting in SSAB Zero™ steel as the end-product.
When will SSAB Zero™ be available to the market?
SSAB launched SSAB Zero™ in March 2023. The order of product roll-out have been defined by the requests from our customers. It is SSAB’s ambition to have a large range of our steel grades available. Your sales contact will be able to advise more specifically about your business needs.
As a customer, what are the advantages and disadvantages of SSAB Zero™?
The primary advantage of SSAB Zero™ is that it is a steel that has created virtually zero carbon emissions from fossil fuels in SSAB’s own operations. It leaves fossil fuels in the ground; this means that you and your end-users become part of a low-emission value-chain. The only disadvantage of SSAB Zero steel is that start-up production costs are higher, making it more expensive to produce and so it has a higher price.
How can I find out more about SSAB Zero™?
If you cannot find the information you are looking for here, please contact us here. Or get in touch with your SSAB sales contact directly.
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