SSAB has said its hydrogen-based steel is the world’s first to meet the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) near-zero emissions threshold, which ranges from about 50kg CO₂e per tonne with full scrap use to 400kg with none.

The steel was produced at its Montpelier, Iowa, facility, using scrap metal, fossil-free electricity, biocoal, renewable natural gas, and hydrogen-reduced iron through the Swedish steelmaker’s Hybrit process.

By adding hydrogen-reduced iron to the manufacturing process, the steel now meets the IEA’s requirements of near-zero steel.

 “This technical breakthrough represents our market leadership,” explained Chuck Schmitt, SSAB Americas President. “SSAB Zero gives our customers confidence that they’re not compromising on quality while advancing their sustainability goals.”

The green steel is scheduled to be deployed in GE Vernova wind towers across the US. Both companies are members of the First Movers Coalition, which uses corporate buying power to accelerate low-carbon materials like steel.

The IEA recognition builds on SSAB’s commitment to supply heavy-duty manufacturer Scania with 100% hydrogen-produced steel by 2030.

SSAB says it is the first steelmaker worldwide to meet the IEA’s benchmark, in a sector responsible for 7% of global CO₂ emissions