Swedish specialty steelmaker SSAB has announced that it has signed a letter of intent with German defense and technology group Rheinmetall for the supply of low-emission steel.
According to SSAB, the agreement represents the first time a defense equipment manufacturer has formally committed to using decarbonized steel in its production processes.
Initial deliveries to start with SSAB Zero™
Under the agreement, cooperation between the two companies will begin with deliveries of SSAB Zero™, with supplied volumes expected to increase gradually over time.
At a later stage, the collaboration is also expected to expand to include SSAB Fossil-free™, further reducing the carbon footprint of steel used in Rheinmetall’s manufacturing operations.
By integrating low-emission steel into its value chain, Rheinmetall aims to position itself at the forefront of emissions reduction efforts within the defense industry.
Overview of SSAB’s low-emission steel products
SSAB Zero™ is produced from recycled steel using fossil-free electricity and biogas, resulting in virtually zero fossil carbon emissions during production.
SSAB Fossil-free™ is manufactured from iron ore using HYBRIT® technology. The HYBRIT® process replaces coking coal with fossil-free hydrogen, enabling steelmaking with significantly reduced carbon emissions.