SSAB has reached an agreement with Trelleborg Sealing Solutions Kalmar to deliver fossil-free steel for use in the latter’s anti-squeal plates, which are shims for brake pads.

Shims are used to eliminate brake noise, especially in electric cars, and Trelleborg Sealing Solutions Kalmar wants to offer a significantly lower carbon footprint than standard.

“Our unique solutions to eliminate vibration and noise in cars are based on our technical knowledge and experience. With fossil-free steel in our components, we will take a leap forward and strengthen our market-leading position,” says Stefan Lundström, business unit president at Trelleborg Sealing Solutions Kalmar.

“We are happy to welcome Trelleborg Sealing Solutions as a fossil-free partner. Together, we will support the automotive industry in delivering the key parts that both producers and consumers are demanding. In the end, it will deliver more sustainable cars to customers,” says Olavi Huhtala, head of SSAB Europe.

Traditional steel production represents a significant source of global CO2 emissions. By changing the way steel is made, SSAB wants to cut emissions, and create a fossil-free value chain with customers and partners.

SSAB has developed two unique types of steel that are produced with virtually no fossil carbon dioxide emissions: SSAB Zero and SSAB Fossil-free steel. SSAB Zero is based on recycled steel scrap, and is produced with fossil-free electricity and biogas. It has been available for commercial deliveries since 2023.

SSAB Fossil-free steel is produced from iron ore with HYBRIT technology, developed by SSAB together with iron ore producer LKAB and energy company Vattenfall. The technology uses hydrogen produced with fossil-free electricity to produce iron, the primary raw material in steelmaking. The residual product is water instead of carbon dioxide.