Dodge Center, Minn. (Sept. 20, 2022) – McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing, Inc, an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK) company, is excited to announce 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, 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 in commercial scale during 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. ”