ABB is partnering with ArcelorMittal to introduce XCarb steel made with high levels of recycled steel and 100% renewable energy for its Kabeldon power distribution system. The sustainable sourcing agreement helps reduce the carbon footprint of key electrification equipment by 29%.

With the use of XCarb steel, the team behind Kabeldon has lowered the manufacturing carbon footprint by 60kg CO₂e—a 29% reduction. Low carbon-emissions steel is an important element in ABB’s sustainable sourcing strategy and a focus for the ABB Smart Power division’s portfolio in the next two years. Overall, ABB has committed to covering 80% of ABB products and solutions with ABB’s Circularity Approach by 2030.

Designed for outdoor environments, Kabeldon provides safe, reliable and weather-resistant power distribution. Long popular with the utilities industry, the system is now also widely used for electric vehicle charging infrastructure and renewable energy applications.

The Kabeldon cabinet already has a Type III Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) verified by a third-party. The cabinet featuring XCarb will receive its own EPD in the coming months. EPDs provide transparency on the environmental impacts of a product across its full life cycle. ABB is going the extra mile to have its EPDs verified by an independent program operator.

ArcelorMittal’s XCarb recycled and renewably produced steel is made using a minimum of 75% recycled steel in an electric arc furnace, powered by 100% renewable electricity. The resulting material has CO₂e emissions up to 70% lower than conventionally produced steel.

Magnelis-coated coils from ArcelorMittal. Image courtesy of ArcelorMittal Europe.

The steel supplied to ABB, which includes steel coated with Magnelis for corrosion resistance as well as cold-rolled steel, is manufactured and distributed in Europe.

Low carbon-emissions steel which has a lower environmental impact than conventional steel is an important raw material for the transition to more sustainable material sourcing, a KPI in ABB’s Circularity Approach. The successful embedding of XCarb contributes directly to ABB’s commitment to have 80% of its products and systems meet the company’s circularity requirements by 2030.