The Swegon Group showcased its first concept air handling unit made from “green” steel at the recent ISH Trade Fair in Frankfurt, Germany.
Made from carbon dioxide reduced steel, the air handling unit is called GOLD RX.
As ventilation units are primarily made of steel, there is considerable potential to reduce the carbon footprint of embodied carbon in production, by replacing traditional steel with steel that has a lower climate footprint.
Earlier this year Swegon received its first delivery of XCarb RRP (recycled and renewably produced) Magnelis from steel manufacturer ArcelorMittal.
According to ArcelorMittal, XCarb RRP Magnelis has an approximately 70 per cent lower CO2 footprint than traditionally manufactured steel.
XCarb RRP is mainly produced from recycled steel and uses 100 per crnt renewable energy in the manufacturing process.
The first concept air handling unit has now been produced, and the plan is to gradually introduce carbon dioxide-reduced steel into ongoing production, starting during the second quarter of this year.
Swegon Group supply chain director, Robert Siverby, said the company is keen to phase in carbon dioxide-reduced steel in the large ventilation units.
“We all have to contribute and reduce our climate footprint, and this transition is enabling us to reduce not only our own, but also our customers’ footprint,” he said.
Swegon was among the first in the industry to develop EPDs (Environmental Product Declaration) for its products, and has a significant amount of EPDs in its portfolio.
The introduction of XCarb RRP is a first step in the company’s journey towards fossil-free steel.
Last year Swegon signed a Letter of Intent with steel producer ArcelorMittal to buy XCarb.
Swegon Group CEO, Andreas Örje Wells, said the company wants to reduce its dependency on fossil fuel, like coal in the production of its products.
“Today, some 70 per cent of all steel produced is from a blast furnace process, where coal is the primary source of energy and subsequently CO2 emissions are high,” he said.
“By using EAF technique, Electric Arc Furnace, recycled steel can be used as raw material and electricity is the primary energy source, which means that the process in principle can be entirely carbon dioxide neutral, if the electricity is generated from a fossil free source of energy.”