SSAB, a global specialised steel company, has awarded AFRY the main engineering partner contract for its fossil-free steel mini-mill project in Luleå, Sweden. AFRY’s assignment includes basic and detail engineering.

The services will be provided during 2024-2026.

SSAB is undertaking a major project to transform to fossil-free steel production. SSAB is planning to replace the current blast furnace production route with a new, state-of-the-art mini-mill concept that utilises electric arc furnaces.

The mini-mill will produce 2.5 Mt/y of fossil-free steel. Once completed, SSAB will decommission the existing blast furnace-based production facility in Luleå, reducing Sweden’s annual CO2 emissions by 7% in addition to the 3% reduction from the Oxelösund mill conversion, it states.

AFRY’s assignment is linked to the melting and hot rolling complex, and it includes the full multi-disciplinary basic and detail engineering. The melting and hot rolling complex includes electric arc furnaces, secondary metallurgy, thin slab casting and hot rolling as well as the necessary infrastructure and auxiliary services.

Nicholas Oksanen, EVP and Head of Process Industries at AFRY, said: “We are proud to continue our strong partnership with SSAB on this important green transformation project aimed at decarbonising steel production. The unique combination of AFRY’s local and global expertise as well as our deep knowledge of SSAB’s projects will ensure a high-quality and efficient project delivery from AFRY.”

The startup of the new production line is planned for the end of 2028.