SSAB Zero™ to be used in 12,000 Volvo trucks to support net-zero supply chain by 2040

As part of its efforts to achieve a net-zero supply chain by 2040, Volvo Trucks is increasing its uptake of SSAB Zero™. From 2025, it plans to use SSAB Zero™ steel in the production of around 12,000 trucks.

In 2022, Volvo Trucks became the world’s first truck manufacturer to use pilot deliveries of fossil-free steel from SSAB in its trucks. The steel – a proof of concept – was produced using HYBRIT^® technology, which replaces the coking coal in the iron ore reduction process, with hydrogen. Now, Volvo will also start using SSAB Zero™, a steel made using recycled steel and fossil-free energy. SSAB Zero™ will be used in the frame rails of around 12,000 Volvo FH and FM trucks slated for production in 2025.

“We started the introduction of the low CO₂ emission steel in our electric trucks in 2022. When we now have access to larger volumes of SSAB Zero™, we can also introduce it in our diesel and gas-powered trucks,” says Lars Mårtensson, Environment and Innovation Director, Volvo Trucks.

By using the low-emission steel in our frame rails, we will reduce the CO₂ footprint by around 2–3% per truck produced
Lars Mårtensson, Environment and Innovation Director at Volvo Trucks

SSAB Zero™ is made using recycled steel and fossil-free electricity and biogas, making the steel virtually free from fossil CO₂ emissions. As a result, the amount of carbon emissions is reduced by around 80% compared to production of traditional steel.

“By using the low-emission steel in our frame rails, we will reduce the CO₂ footprint by around 2-3% per truck produced,” explains Lars Mårtensson. “It doesn't sound much, but next year we will produce 12,000 trucks, which will result in a total saving of 6,600 tonnes of CO₂.”

Taking a holistic approach to climate targets

Volvo Trucks is committed to the Paris agreement and has signed up to Science Based Targets. It is investing heavily in developing alternative fuel technologies such as battery electric and gas-powered trucks and is working extensively to reduce its own fossil carbon footprint. In addition to steel, Volvo Trucks is also investigating more sustainable alternatives for replacing the aluminum and plastic currently used in producing its vehicles.

“We want to be net-zero by 2040,” says Lars Mårtensson. “It means that our operations, our dealers, and the usage of the trucks need to be net-zero. But just as important, we also need to make sure that the production of the truck also becomes net-zero by 2040.”

Huge potential for future carbon reductions

Volvo Trucks estimates that almost half (47%) of a typical Volvo FH diesel truck consists of steel and represents around 44% of the carbon emissions from its production. SSAB Zero™ therefore offers huge potential for reducing Volvo Trucks’ carbon footprint even further.

“Having SSAB as one of our partners, we can jointly develop and speed up the introduction of new materials to reduce our CO₂ footprint,” says Lars Mårtensson. “We share the same ambition, and together we can move forward and make sure that we reach net-zero as soon as possible.”

About Volvo Trucks

Volvo Trucks is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of heavy-duty trucks.
The company was founded in Gothenburg, Sweden in 1927.
In 2023, it delivered around 145,000 trucks globally.
It has around 2,200 dealerships and customer services points in around 130 countries.

The fossil carbon emissions in SSAB’s production of SSAB Zero™ are less than 0.05 kg CO₂e/kg steel in Scope 1 and 2 of the GHG Protocol.