For stepping a transformative move towards environmental sustainability, the prominent German automobile component manufacturer, KIRCHHOFF Automotive, is joining forces with SSAB, a Swedish steel giant, to drastically reduce CO2 emissions in car body production. This alliance is a major breakthrough in utilizing fossil-free steel, a technology poised to revolutionize the automobile industry and contribute substantially towards global carbon neutrality efforts.
Based in South Westphalia, Germany, KIRCHHOFF Automotive specializes in the manufacture of cold-formed car body parts, which primarily use steel as their vital element. The company’s crash boxes, lower beams, and closure plates, with weights ranging between 300 grams and 1.3 kg, are crafted using a cold-forming process.
KIRCHHOFF’s dedication to sustainability is evident in its partnership with SSAB. By utilizing SSAB’s Fossil-free Steel™ in the production of a front bumper, KIRCHHOFF Automotive manages to lower emissions by almost 40%. This is a significant leap toward the firm’s overall sustainability targets.
“KIRCHHOFF Automotive is taking the reduction of carbon emissions seriously and the partnership with SSAB allows us to further accelerate our efforts in bringing CO2-reduced solutions to our customers and on the road. In addition, it will contribute to the achievement of KIRCHHOFF Automotive’s sustainability targets” says Michael Rank, Global Executive Vice President Procurement at KIRCHHOFF Automotive.
SSAB Fossil-free Steel™ is an innovative solution made using direct-reduced iron (DRI) and generated without relying on fossil energy. Instead, it employs biogas and fossil-free electricity. Its quality and properties are on par with steel conventionally produced by SSAB.
SSAB targets a close relationship with KIRCHHOFF Automotive.”We at SSAB are striving for a close partnership with KIRCHHOFF Automotive to jointly take a leading role in the development and use of CO2-reduced or CO2-free steel grades in the automotive sector in the coming years,” says Roman Kaiser, Sales Director at SSAB Europe.
In recognition of their contribution to sustainable steel production, KIRCHHOFF Automotive recently acknowledged SSAB as the Supplier of the Year 2023 in the raw material category. This marks the third time SSAB has received this prestigious award, bolstering its status as a key player in the global move towards environmentally friendly manufacturing practices.
This tactical cooperation between KIRCHHOFF Automotive and SSAB demonstrates the evolving potential of the automotive industry to contribute to global sustainability objectives, paving the way for a green future in automobile manufacturing.
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