Peab to use Ssab green steel in construction; SKF & CH2ESS collaborate on green bearing steel
Steelmakers are producing fossil-free steel by using hydrogen and fossil-free electricity replacing coking coal and other fossil fuels in traditional steel production.
Peab (Swedish construction and civil engineering company) has become the first construction company to secure access to SSAB’s fossil-free steel for its construction projects.
Under the partnership, Peab will use Ssab’s fossil-free steel in its construction projects from 2026 onwards. Both partners will also work on exploring the potential for how carbon green steel can reduce the climate footprint of the construction industry.
Jesper Göransson, CEO of Peab, said, “Peab has ambitious climate and environmental targets, and this is an important step for us to reach climate neutrality by 2045.”
Martin Lindqvist, CEO of SSAB, said, “Together, we also strengthen the position of fossil free steel in the construction industry, while also helping to reduce global carbon dioxide emissions.”
SSAB’s fossil free steel is produced under the Hybrit (Hydrogen Breakthrough Ironmaking Technology) initiative, which was started together with the iron ore producer LKAB and the energy company Vattenfall. SSAB plans to produce fossil free steel on a commercial scale in 2026.
Meanwhile, in a separate development, SKF (a Swedish bearing and seal manufacturing company) is supporting the development of fossil-free bearing steel through a collaboration with Luleå University of Technology’s CH2ESS (Center for Hydrogen Energy Systems Sweden) initiative. SKF will participate in and fund research within hydrogen use in industrial processes and energy systems, accelerating the development of fossil-free bearing steel.
Research areas will include hybrid ceramic bearings, EVs and other applications, and the development and commercialisation of fossil-free bearing steel production.
CH2ESS is a newly established research and knowledge initiative at Luleå University of Technology focusing on hydrogen use in industrial processes and energy systems in close collaboration with the Swedish industry.
Victoria Van Camp, President, SKF Technology, said, “Together with CH2ESS and its partners, we can contribute in designing robust, reliable hydrogen systems, with the lowest possible impact on the environment and on the total cost of operation.”
Rikard Gebart, Program manager CH2ESS and professor in Energy Engineering at Luleå University of Technology, said, “We together address the many important problems that are connected to the hydrogen technology.”
