SSAB and Manitou Group agree on deliveries of fossil-free steel

From left: Olavi Huhtala from SSAB and Maurizio Achilli from Manitou Group paired with a Manitou telehandler.

SSAB already delivers specialized and high-strength steels to Manitou Group, a world reference in the handling, aerial work platform, and earth moving sectors. Both companies are now furthering their collaboration by adding future deliveries of the emission-free steels, SSAB Fossil-free™ and SSAB Zero®, to the mix.

Both steel types are produced with virtually* zero fossil carbon emissions, which will allow Manitou Group to bring to market a new generation of sustainable products with radically reduced CO2 footprint, including for example telehandler, aerial work platform or forklift ranges.

“We’re excited about adding Manitou Group as a fossil-free partner to SSAB. Our goal is to revolutionize the way steel is produced and pave the way for a greener future. Thanks to customers like Manitou Group who share our ambition of reducing carbon emissions, we’re able to create early markets for sustainable steel,” says Olavi Huhtala, EVP and Head of SSAB Europe.

“We work every day closely with our suppliers to reduce our indirect carbon emissions and offer more sustainable products to our customers. This collaboration with SSAB is very important for us as steel represents the main raw material for our products,” says Maurizio Achilli, VP Sourcing at Manitou Group.

SSAB aims to revolutionize the entire steelmaking process and be first to offer emission-free steel to the market. Manitou Group aims to reduce its direct and indirect carbon emissions (scope 1 and 2) by 46.3 % and its CO2 emissions for every hour of use of the machines by 33.7 % (scope 3) by 2030. 

About SSAB Fossil-free^TM and SSAB Zero®

SSAB Fossil-free™ steel is produced using the revolutionary HYBRIT® technology, developed by SSAB with mining company LKAB and energy company Vattenfall. Instead of using coal to remove the oxygen from the iron ore, the HYBRIT® technology uses hydrogen gas, produced with fossil-free electricity, to make sponge iron for steel production. The carbon dioxide emissions are eliminated, and instead the by-product is water. SSAB Zero® is steel made from recycled scrap using fossil-free energy sources, resulting in virtually zero emissions from the steelmaking process. SSAB Zero® was launched at a commercial scale in 2023 and has less than 0.05 kg CO2 emissions/kg steel in scope 1 and 2.*

About Manitou Group

As a world reference in the handling, aerial work platform and earth moving sectors, Manitou Group’s mission is to improve working conditions, safety and performance around the world, while protecting people and their environment. Through its flagship brands – Manitou and Gehl – the group designs, produces, distributes and services equipment for construction, agriculture and industry. By placing innovation at the heart of its development, Manitou Group constantly seeks to bring value to all its stakeholders. Through the expertise of its network of 800 dealers, the group works more closely with its customers every day. Staying true to its roots, Manitou Group is headquartered in France. It achieved a 2023 turnover of €2.9 billion and brings together 5,500 talented people worldwide, all driven by a shared passion.