Volvo presents first vehicle made of fossil-free steel supplied by SSAB

Volvo says it has made the first-ever vehicle entirely of fossil-free steel.

The steel used was supplied by SSAB, which is currently developing new technologies to supply fossil-free steel on a large scale by 2026.

The first vehicle presented by Volvo is a load carrier used in mining and quarrying. More vehicle and machines will follow in 2022.

“Having the world’s first actual vehicle made using SSAB’s fossil-free steel is a true milestone. Our collaboration with Volvo Group shows that green transition is possible and brings results,” SSAB president and chief executive Martin Lindqvist says in a note seen by Kallanish.

“Together, we will continue reducing climate impact all the way to the end customer while ensuring that our customers get high-quality steel,” he adds. “We look forward to continuing to work with Volvo Group in research and development to produce more fossil-free steel products.”

SSAB is converting its Oxelösund blast furnaces into an electric arc furnace operation and planning to use HYBRIT technology. This replaces coking coal, traditionally needed for iron ore-based steelmaking, with fossil-free electricity and hydrogen. This process is a decisive step towards virtually eliminating carbon dioxide emissions in steel production.

The first fossil-free steel plate made from hydrogen-reduced iron produced at HYBRIT’s pilot plant in Luleå, Sweden was revealed in August.

Emanuele Norsa Italy