Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions has signed a letter of intent with steelmaker SSAB for the supply of fossil-free steel.

The company plans to initially use the fossil-free steel in the production of its loaders and trucks.

SSAB is planning to start commercial-scale delivery of fossil-free steel to the market during 2026.

Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions president Mats Eriksson said: “Sustainability is at the core of our business strategy.

“As the market demand for fossil-free products increases in the years ahead, this partnership will enable us to offer our mining customers solutions with a drastically reduced CO₂ footprint.”

As SSAB’s fossil-free partner, Sandvik can seek early fossil-free sample deliveries such as a prototype frame, loader bucket or truck box, for use in a demo or concept product.

SSAB special steels head Johnny Sjöström said: “Fossil-free steel has the same high quality as traditional steel but with hardly any environmental impact. It will help to reduce our customers’ carbon footprint and offer a competitive advantage in the market.”

The steel is the product of the Hydrogen Breakthrough Ironmaking Technology (HYBRIT) partnership between SSAB, iron ore producer LKAB and energy company Vattenfall.

The initiative aims to develop a value chain for fossil-free iron and steel production by replacing coking coal with fossil-free electricity and hydrogen for iron ore-based steelmaking.

The process allows the production of steel while virtually eliminating carbon dioxide emissions in the process.

Last month, Sandvik unveiled a comprehensive automation platform, AutoMine Core, for large-scale mining operations.

It is designed to help customers transition from manual mining techniques to fully automated production processes.