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SSAB has announced the release of its newest fossil-free steel variants made using Hydrogen Breakthrough Ironmaking Technology (“HYBRIT Technology”).
With its green and sustainable technology, the firm hopes to assist Australian industries in achieving sustainable transportation and manufacturing processes as the world’s first fossil-free steel.
This project comes at a time when governments and businesses in Australia are looking into “green steel” as a way to promote company growth, operational efficiency, and long-term development.
According to the Grattan Institute, if Australia were to capture 6.5 percent of the global steel market, it could produce over AU $65 billion in annual export income and over 25,000 employment in Australia. SSAB is doubling down on its efforts to create an eco-friendly future for the transportation, building, and mining sectors with the world’s first fossil-free steel, as demand for fossil-free iron and steelmaking rises.
“Our invention is a big step forward in the shift to environmentally friendly iron and steel production. Businesses and people are being enlisted to push change and create sustainable global value chains as pressure mounts on Australian governments and industry to solve the looming climate disaster. Fossil-free steel is a feasible option since it maintains quality and can be utilized in a variety of sectors “Matthew Spiteri, Country Manager for Australia and New Zealand, shared his thoughts.
HYBRIT was founded in 2016 by SSAB, LKAB, and Vattenfall with the goal of creating a technology for fossil-free iron and steel production. The technique uses fossil-free energy and hydrogen to substitute coking coal, which is usually used in iron ore-based steelmaking.
SSAB was able to demonstrate the world’s first fossil-free steel plate manufactured from hydrogen-reduced iron in August 2021, which was produced at HYBRIT’s pilot facility in Lule, Sweden.
Some of the world’s most successful firms have already signed on to this effort in a variety of industries. SSAB Oxelösund successfully manufactured and delivered to Volvo Group the first fossil-free steel reduced by 100% fossil-free hydrogen in July 2021. SSAB has also formed a cooperation with Mercedes-Benz AG to accelerate the introduction of fossil-free steel into vehicle production, with the first prototype parts for body shells expected next year.
Beyond the automotive sector, the firm has teamed up with Cargotec to begin collaborative development of fossil-free steel for Cargotec’s freight handling equipment.
“These collaborations show how HYBRIT technology and fossil-free steel have the potential to usher in a new era of sustainable building, mining, and transportation in Australia. HYBRIT will help companies strengthen their competitive advantage and meet growing global demand while developing the domestic skills and capabilities needed to create an export-oriented green steel industry, as a premium product with high customer value “Marta McInally, Sales Director East Asia, Asia Pacific, and Australia, expressed her opinion.
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