Fossil-Free Energy Supply Gives Sweden Edge in Green Steel Race
- Europe steelmakers are seeking to replace coal with hydrogen
- Ample supply of renewable energy gives Sweden’s SSAB headstart
Photographer: Andrey Rudakov/Bloomberg
As European steelmakers try to revolutionize the dirty production processes that have turned them into one of the main culprits behind the climate crisis, one producer may have an edge over its rivals.
Sweden’s SSAB is just like European rivals such as Thyssenkrupp AG and ArcelorMittal turning to hydrogen as a replacement for coal in its processes to cut emissions of carbon dioxide. But to really become green, the steelmakers must ensure that the electricity used to extract hydrogen is also free of fossil fuels, which is a problem for German steelmakers as the country still relies heavily on coal and natural gas for its power needs. Sweden’s energy supply, in contrast, is almost entirely built on non-fossil energy sources.