McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing, an Oshkosh Corporation company, will be partnering with SSAB in fossil-free steel applications for severe-duty commercial vehicles.

The first use of this fossil-free steel will be to prototype "advanced, environmentally sustainable McNeilus refuse collection vehicles."

SSAB delivered the first steel made of hydrogen-reduced iron in 2021 and is aiming to deliver fossil-free steel to the market in commercial scale during 2026. 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, according to McNeilus. 

“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.”

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.

Oshkosh Corporation and McNeilus are working together on future research and development initiatives across multiple commercial vehicle product lines.