SSAB partners with McNeilus, Oshkosh to build the first fossil-free steel commercial vehicles in the U.S

McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing, Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation company has announced a partnership with SSAB in fossil-free steel applications for severe-duty commercial vehicles.

SSAB initiated this partnership with Oshkosh Corporation because of its reputation as a leading innovator of mission-critical vehicles and essential equipment, including McNeilus' market-leading refuse collection vehicles.

The first use of this fossil-free steel will be to prototype advanced, environmentally sustainable McNeilus® refuse collection vehicles. Oshkosh Corporation and McNeilus are working together on future research and development initiatives across multiple commercial vehicle product lines.

"Creating a more sustainable future is central to our strategic vision," said Brad Nelson, President of McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing and Senior Vice President of Oshkosh Corporation.

"As a leader and innovator in the industries we serve, Oshkosh Corporation and McNeilus are proud to partner with SSAB on this global initiative as a next step in delivering high-performance, more sustainable products to our customers."

"We are very happy to welcome Oshkosh Corporation and McNeilus into our partner group to be the first in the United States to prototype fossil-free steel in commercial and industrial vehicles," says Martin Lindqvist, President, and CEO at SSAB.

"Demand for fossil-free steel continues to increase globally. This step confirms our commitments to mitigate global climate change, and collaboration with forward-thinking organizations around the world for industry-leading change is how it will happen."

SSAB aims to deliver fossil-free steel to the market on a commercial scale in 2026 and delivered the first steel made of hydrogen-reduced iron in 2021. SSAB works with iron ore producer LKAB and energy company Vattenfall in Sweden as part of the HYBRIT initiative to develop a value chain for fossil-free iron- and steel production, replacing coking coal traditionally needed for iron ore-based steelmaking, with fossil-free electricity and hydrogen. This process virtually eliminates carbon dioxide emissions in steel production.

Sustainability efforts across McNeilus and Oshkosh Corporation include working to reduce the "use-phase" emissions of products through fuel efficiency, alternative fuels, and electrification to help customers significantly reduce their carbon footprint and move industries forward.