"With an equity stake in H2 Green Steel, Mercedes-Benz is sending an important signal to accelerate change in the steel industry and increase the availability of carbon-free steel. As a first step, we are investing a single-digit million amount. As a preferred partner of the start-up, we will be launching green steel in various vehicle models as early as 2025." Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, said.
A Mercedes-Benz sedan is for example made from about 50% steel, which accounts for about 30% of CO₂ emissions in production. With the partnership, Mercedes-Benz is actively and consistently tackling one of the biggest challenges in the automotive industry on the road to CO₂ neutrality.
By using a new, innovate manufacturing process, the production of steel at the supplier level is CO₂ free. By contrast, steel produced using a classic blast furnace, emits an average of more than two tons of CO2₂ per ton. In the new process, the supplier uses hydrogen and electricity from 100 % renewable energy sources instead of coking coal in steel production. The hydrogen serves as a reduction gas, which releases and binds the oxygen from the iron ore. Unlike the use of coking coal, this does not produce CO₂, but water. The supplier uses electricity from 100% renewable sources for the energy requirements generated in the manufacturing process.
Mercedes-Benz AG pursues the goal of a CO₂ neutral new car fleet along the entire value and supply chain. Suppliers representing more than 85% of Mercedes-Benz's annual purchasing volume have already signed an Ambition Letter, agreeing to supply the company only with CO₂ neutral products in the future. This includes important steel suppliers. At the same time, Mercedes-Benz is working with its partners to gradually increase the proportion of secondary materials in components and materials.
About H2 Green Steel
H2 Green Steel (H2GS) was founded in 2020, aiming to build a large-scale fossil-free steel production facility in northern Sweden. H2GS will produce 5 million tons of fossil-free steel by 2030. By doing this, the company will contribute to the decarbonizing of the European steel industry, one of the largest carbondioxide emitters. H2GS will establish operations in Boden and Luleå. The founder and largest shareholder is Vargas, which is also co-founder and one of the largest shareholders in Northvolt.
Source: Mercedes-Benz
