During the visit, Frans Timmermans was given a tour where staff from SSAB and HYBRIT explained how the production of the iron fungus works and in which stages the various main owners are responsible - from the mine all the way to the steel production.
- It is a mark of quality that we are a pioneer country as an industrial country.
SSAB, LKAB and Vattenfall are developing a product that is world-unique, says Martin Lindqvist, CEO of SSAB.
SSAB continues to invest in Luleå
The company has set a goal that there will be a fossil-free production in Luleå that is in operation by 2030 and the company expects to need to invest between 20-30 billion for the project to become a reality.
- The EU has a great interest in what we are doing up here in the north.
The production of fossil-free iron fungus is important for us, for Sweden and it is also important for the EU, says Jan Moström, CEO of LKAB.
The two companies' priority is to start the value chain between LKAB and SSAB to produce iron fungus.
According to Jan Moström, LKAB delivers just over 20 percent of its total production flow to SSAB, which increases the incentive to start a functioning value chain.
Large puzzle with many pieces
Investments carried out between the two companies together with Vattenfall, and within the framework of the HYBRIT project.
HYBRIT has set a goal of having started production with fossil-free steel fam by 2030.
A goal that is challenging where many pieces need to fall into place, partly it is about applying for new environmental permits and there also needs to be access to green electricity.
Hear more about it in the clip.