The steel manufacturer SSAB is the largest emitter of carbon dioxide in Sweden with approximately ten percent of Sweden's emissions.

The company now confirms that it is in discussions about buying the Ijmuiden steel plant in the Netherlands.

More than doubles emissions

 -If there is an acquisition of Ijmuiden, we think it will broaden our product range and strengthen our market position.

In this way, we can also get stronger muscles to implement the climate measures, says Mia Widell, who is press manager at SSAB, to SVT.

The Dutch steelworks emits 12.9 million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year - more than twice as much as SSAB does in Sweden (5.5 million tonnes).

The steelworks also received almost 3,000 environmental complaints in 2018.

Fossil-free - in the future

At the same time, SSAB wants to make itself fossil-free through new technology that excludes coal, so-called Hybrit.

It will be in place at one of SSAB's Swedish steelworks in 2026. But a completely fossil-free SSAB is far in the future.

- We have a goal to become fossil-free in our existing operations by 2045, says Mia Widell at SSAB.

In the meantime, SSAB may be able to own even more coal-based steel production than today if the purchase goes through.

The government is silent

The Swedish state has the greatest power in SSAB indirectly through its ownership in the state-owned mining company LKAB - which is thus the strongest voice in the steel company.

Minister of Trade and Industry Ibrahim Baylan declined to comment as the acquisition has not been confirmed.

And Minister of the Environment and Climate Isabella Lövin does not have time for any comment.