SSAB, producer of steels and services designed to make end products lighter and stronger, offers the SSAB EcoUpgraded program. With this program customers can upgrade to high-strength steel and reduce the weight of their equipment, improve fuel economy and extend product lifetime-all factors that have a major impact on reducing their carbon footprint.
"When customers upgrade from standard steel to high-strength steel, they can cut the weight of the end product while maintaining the same strength and increasing durability and productivity," said a company spokesperson. "From a lifecycle perspective, this is crucial because most of the negative environmental impact that comes from a product's use phase."
"And because high-strength steel is stronger than conventional mild steel, less steel is needed to manufacture the product," continued the spokesperson. "An SSAB EcoUpgraded product will generate carbon dioxide savings that exceed the carbon dioxide emitted during the production of the upgraded part. The amount of the savings varies depending on the design and whether or not it is weight-critical."
SSAB looks at each specific application and compares the potential carbon dioxide savings in the use phase to the carbon dioxide emitted during production. "This way, we identify products that would benefit the most from an upgrade to high-strength Strenx performance steel and/or Hardox wear plate," said the spokesperson. "Once the carbon dioxide payback time is reached, the vehicle will continue to deliver carbon dioxide savings far in excess of the original carbon dioxide debt."
SSAB high-strength steels benefits:
- Thinner dimensions of steel can be used without compromising on strength
- Fewer resources used in the manufacture of SSAB EcoUpgraded components and vehicles
- Less fuel needed for the same work-haul the same load in fewer number of trips
- Lower carbon dioxide emissions over entire lifecycle
- Meet and stay ahead of tougher environmental requirements and legislation
- OEMs can enhance their environmental profile and gain a competitive edge.
For one customer, an ultra-light tipper chassis used 610 kg of Strenx 960 Plus to replace 750 kg of S700MC steel. And in the body, 830 kg of Hardox 500 Tuf replaced 1,000 kg of Hardox 450. This brought a total weight reduction of 18% for the upgraded parts. The body's lifetime was doubled, to 12 years, eliminating the need to change the body on this chassis. And the weight was reduced by 310 kg, which increased the load capacity by the same amount.
For more information contact:
SSAB AB
11 N Water St., Ste. 17000
Mobile, AL 36602
800-442-7369
contactusa@ssab.com
www.ssab.us