Future supplier of carbon dioxide-free sponge iron

Central to our transformation is the gradual shift to carbon dioxide-free sponge iron (HBI). We'll use hydrogen produced from fossil-free electricity in the reduction process, instead of coal and coke. The byproduct? Just plain water, not carbon dioxide.

Joining forces with our HYBRIT project partners SSAB and Vattenfall, our goal is to develop a fossil-free value chain for iron and steel production, potentially cutting Sweden’s carbon dioxide emissions by as much as ten percent.

This transformation is a journey: we’ll progressively scale up sponge iron production using innovative, circular technology. This way we’ll strengthen our position in the value chain and increase the value of our products by selling more refined iron, while enabling significantly reduced carbon dioxide emissions throughout the entire value chain. In the meantime, we’ll remain a dependable supplier of pellets and other iron ore products.

Hydrogen gives superior product

Extensive testing at our Luleå pilot plant and collaborative research in the HYBRIT project has shown that our iron ore, directly reduced with hydrogen, produces a superior-quality product. This breakthrough not only brings climate benefits but also promises improved industrial processes and products.

Learn more about the quality of hydrogen reduced iron

Milestone shift launches in Gällivare

The shift towards carbon dioxide-free sponge iron begins in Gällivare, where our new demonstration plant will pioneer the industrial-scale implementation of the HYBRIT process. This milestone facility aims to yield around1-1.5 million tonnes of sponge iron annually.

Learn more about the demo plant

A carbon free upgrading process starting to take shape

The next-gen pelletising plant is under development. As fossil fuels are phased out for carbon free solutions, co-firing is the most promising alternative.

HYBRIT: Hydrogen storage reduces costs by up to 40 per cent

HYBRIT’s first-of-its-kind hydrogen storage has been tested commercially on the electricity market. Its excellent results are important for the green transition.

Historic permit application decisive for the green transition in the north

The environmental permit application for Gällivare is a historic one – key for our whole transformation.

A gradual transformation for the climate

LKAB’s gradual transition to carbon dioxide-free products and processes by 2045 has the potential to help reduce carbon emissions from our customers worldwide by 40-50 million tons per year, equivalent to almost the entire annual greenhouse gas emissions of Sweden today. We will go from being one of Sweden’s largest emitters to being a part of the solution.

LKAB and the climate