Within automotive manufacturing, steel remains the dominant material used in vehicle production for a multitude of vehicle components, typically comprising 800 ~ 900kg (around 60%) of the vehicle’s weight. Therefore, clearly the single biggest issue in making vehicle production meet net zero targets is by utilizing renewable energy sources within the steel production process. Sustainably produced steel could bring many positive opportunities for the automotive industry, reducing the carbon footprint of vehicle production and in particular by improving the perception of what is currently a highly carbon intensive industry.
However, pivoting to more sustainably produced steel isn’t a simple straightforward process and poses many challenges for automotive OEMs, tier suppliers, steel providers, and many other stakeholders within the automotive supply chain. There are a plethora of specific technical and economic challenges relating to cost, recycling, and validation. But there are also more intangible hurdles to overcome around industry perception. For example, industry leaders will need to better grasp and clarify the confusing array of sustainability terminology, and ultimately need to simplify the messaging around sustainable steel.
In February 2024, Automotive Manufacturing Solutions carried out a survey in partnership with SSAB, leveraging on its global audience of leading manufacturing experts to explore these challenges.
The survey results will be discussed in the “Sustainable Steel Automotive Manufacturing Survey 2024 Webinar”, aimed at providing cutting-edge insights on the key manufacturing and other challenges faced by automotive OEMs, across the automotive value chain.
A panel of industry experts will analyse the range of issues, offering you deep insight into the industry transition to sustainable steel.
Discussion points
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What is the level of awareness and interest in sustainable steel and is it being prioritized when selecting steel products?
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How are these sustainability objectives being pursued, and what challenges does this create?
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In what way does the perception and terminology around sustainable steel hinder the industry transition? How can this be improved?
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Why do recycling agreements and targets influence the wider migration towards sustainable steel? And how does validation fit within the equation?
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How does cost impact the business-critical aspects of the transition to sustainable steel processes and technologies? How can this be better communicated to the industry?
Panel:
Nick Holt
Editor
Automotive Manufacturing Solutions
Daniel Harrison
Automotive Analyst
Automotive Manufacturing Solutions
Thomas Hörnfeldt
Vice President Sustainable Business & Public Affairs
SSAB
Interested in the full survey results? Check out the Sustainable Steel Automotive Manufacturing Survey 2024 results today. By doing so you will gain critical insights that can shape your approach to sustainability, from selecting steel suppliers to implementing new regulations and standards.
SSAB is one of the world’s most carbon emission-efficient steel companies. SSAB Fossil-free™ steel is produced using the revolutionary HYBRIT® technology, which replaces coal in the iron ore reduction process with hydrogen. The result is a removal of the fossil carbon emissions. Learn more about how the groundbreaking technology was developed, how it works, the benefits of SSAB Fossil-free steel and why it is a sustainable steel.
