Currently, around seven percent of global CO2 emissions are caused by steel production. In 2022, Alfa Laval started a cooperation with steel producer SSAB to offer the first heat exchanger made of fossil-free steel. Now, another milestone has been reached on the way to a global carbon-neutral supply chain: Alfa Laval processes recycled steel from SSAB in its heat exchangers, the production of which does not use fossil fuels.
SSAB Zero, the new steel produced, is made from 100 percent recycled steel and is produced using fossil-free electricity and biogas. The result is a material that, in principle, produces no carbon emissions from fossil fuels. Alfa Laval will initially deliver more than 100 heat exchangers with SSAB Zero steel in 2023 and will significantly increase this quantity in the next few years. The heat exchangers can then be used in various sectors such as HVAC, shipping, process industries and food processing, where they optimize energy efficiency and thus reduce global emissions twice.
Less CO2 thanks to collaboration
“Alfa Laval’s commitment to sustainability is further strengthened through its collaboration with SSAB. Using recycled steel in our heat exchangers not only reduces our own carbon footprint, but also drives the entire value chain towards a clean and sustainable future,” said Thomas Møller, President of the Energy Division at Alfa Laval.
“SSAB is accelerating the adoption of zero-emission steel with our latest product, SSAB Zero. Now we are expanding our partnership with Alfa Laval to include SSAB Zero and can achieve visible results as early as this year. This is great news that will enable us to combat climate change even faster,” explains Thomas Hörnfeldt, Head of Sustainable Business at SSAB.
SSAB and SSAB Zero
SSAB is a Nordic and US steel producer. The company offers value-added products and services developed in close collaboration with customers to create a stronger, lighter and sustainable world. SSAB employs people in over 50 countries and operates production facilities in Sweden, Finland and the USA. SSAB is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm and has a secondary listing on Nasdaq Helsinki.
SSAB Zero produces zero fossil carbon emissions (less than 0.05 kg CO2e emissions per kg steel in Scope 1 and 2) including purchased energy and transport. SSAB calculates emissions using the market-based method and uses guarantees of origin to ensure that the electricity comes from a fossil-free source. Fossil fuels remain in the ground because SSAB has implemented a system to manage and ensure the correct origin and use of alternatives associated with the production of SSAB Zero. Only recycled steel is used as raw material.
