Steelmaker SSAB has started a partnership in fossil-free steel applications with Oshkosh Corporation, a leading producer of mission-critical vehicles and essential equipment, including heavy-duty truck bodies, fire apparatus, access equipment and other specialty trucks.

The first use of this fossil-free steel will be to prototype advanced, environmentally sustainable McNeilus refuse collection vehicles. Oshkosh Corporation and its brand McNeilus are working together on future research and development initiatives across multiple commercial vehicle product lines.

The first use of SSAB’s fossil-free steel in the US will be to prototype advanced, environmentally sustainable McNeilus refuse collection vehicles.

SSAB delivered its first fossil-free steel to the Volvo Group in 2021. (Earlier post.) Later that year, Volvo Group revealed what it said was the world’s first vehicle made of fossil-free steel from SSAB, made in Volvo Construction Equipment’s facility in Braås, Sweden. (Earlier post.)

SSAB aims to deliver fossil-free steel to the market in commercial scale during 2026 and delivered the first steel made of hydrogen-reduced iron in 2021. SSAB works with iron ore producer LKAB and energy company Vattenfall in Sweden as part of the HYBRIT initiative (earlier post) to develop a value chain for fossil-free iron- and steel production, replacing coking coal traditionally needed for iron ore-based steelmaking, with fossil-free electricity and hydrogen. This process virtually eliminates carbon dioxide-emissions in steel production.

Sustainability efforts across McNeilus and Oshkosh Corporation include working to reduce the “use-phase” emissions of products through fuel efficiency, alternative fuels and electrification to help customers significantly reduce their carbon footprint and move industries forward.