SSAB and Depenbrock enter strategic partnership to promote fossil-free steel

Steel producer SSAB and German construction company Depenbrock Ingenieur- und Wasserbau have entered into a strategic partnership to supply fossil-free steel for future infrastructure and hydraulic engineering projects. The collaboration is designed to support climate-conscious construction and help project owners reduce their environmental footprint.

The agreement enables Depenbrock to offer public and private clients a more sustainable material solution—without compromising on structural performance.

“Incorporating fossil-free steel into our processes allows us to help clients reduce their carbon footprint while improving access to green finance and regulatory incentives,” said Erik Depenbrock, Managing Partner at Depenbrock. “We believe in bringing innovation directly into construction practice.”

SSAB’s fossil-free steel is produced using the HYBRIT® process, which replaces coking coal with hydrogen in iron ore reduction, generating water instead of CO₂. This breakthrough technology enables near-zero-emission steel production and is being scaled for commercial use.

“Our high-strength steel is particularly well suited for hydraulic and civil engineering, where durability and mechanical resistance are critical,” said Tim Kalthaus, Business Area Manager at SSAB Europe. “With Depenbrock’s expertise, we’re expanding fossil-free solutions into a key segment of the construction industry.”

The partnership builds on a long-standing business relationship between the two companies and reflects increasing demand for low-emission construction materials in large-scale infrastructure.

Commercial rollout approaching

SSAB made headlines in 2021 by producing the world’s first fossil-free steel using the HYBRIT® technology. Multiple pilot deliveries have been completed across sectors such as automotive, heavy machinery, and now, construction.

Once commercially available, SSAB Fossil-free™ steel will emit less than 0.05 kg CO₂e per kilogram of steel, covering Scope 1, 2, and relevant upstream Scope 3 emissions under the GHG Protocol.

With growing interest in low-carbon procurement, the SSAB–Depenbrock partnership positions itself as a model for emissions-conscious engineering in Europe’s transition to sustainable infrastructure.