Swedish steelmaker SSAB has announced the installation of an electric arc furnace (EAF) at its Uxelsund plant. This step is part of a large-scale transformation of steel production aimed at reducing CO2 emissions. The new furnace is expected to be operational by the end of 2026, replacing traditional blast furnaces.
“This is an important step not only for the environment but also for our customers. With the electric arc furnace, we will be able to deliver large volumes of SSAB Zero steel made from recycled metal and clean energy faster,” said Thomas Hernfeldt, Vice President Sustainable Business at SSAB.
Demand for SSAB Zero is growing, and the company has already launched production in 2023 at a plant in the United States. The launch of the electric arc furnace in Uxelsund will significantly expand the product range and increase supply volumes.
SSAB has already obtained all the necessary permits and guaranteed the supply of sufficient clean electricity.
It should be noted that the steel industry remains one of the main sources of CO2 emissions, and SSAB is actively working to reduce this impact. The company plans to gradually convert all its plants to carbon-free steel production.
The Uxelsund project is the first stage of this transformation. In April 2024, SSAB approved investments in the conversion of the Luleå plant, and the next step will be the modernization of the Raahe plant in Finland. The implementation of these projects will depend on the financial capabilities and experience gained during the transformation of previous plants.
The Ukselesund plant produces a wide range of steel, including Hardox, a wear-resistant steel, Strenx, a high-strength structural steel, Armox, armor plates, and Toolox, an engineering steel for tools. The modernized production facilities will make these products more environmentally friendly and meet modern sustainability requirements.
As GMK Center reported earlier, at the end of 2024, SSAB announced that it had received €126 million in funding from the EU’s Just Transition Fund, which was established to support the environmental transformation of industry. The funds will help reduce CO2 emissions in Sweden by 7%.
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