Carl Orrling, why is the cold rolling and strip processing complex such a key element in realizing the vision of bringing fossil-free steel to the market on an industrial scale?
Carl Orrling: Our mission is clear: to lead the transition of the global steel industry toward fossil-free production. This transformation is not only about eliminating CO₂ emissions from steelmaking, it is about ensuring that fossil-free steel becomes a reliable, competitive alternative for all our customers.
The cold rolling complex plays a decisive role in this. It is the stage where the steel’s final properties are set: thickness accuracy, mechanical performance, and surface finish. In other words, the cold rolling complex is where the product achieves its final value and readiness for end-use applications. Without this precise and technologically advanced step, even sustainably produced material could not meet the demanding quality standards of industries such as automotive, construction, and appliances.
The new complex in Luleå will therefore not only complete our process chain; it will enable us to offer fossil-free steel that meets or exceeds conventional standards. In this sense, the cold rolling complex forms the technological bridge between SSAB’s sustainability ambitions and the market’s performance expectations.
Simone Scheidgen, from SMS group’s perspective, what makes this project particularly relevant in the broader European context?
Simone Scheidgen: Europe is taking important steps toward reducing emissions in the steel industry. SSAB’s initiative in Luleå demonstrates how technological innovation and sustainability can reinforce each other to maintain industrial competitiveness in Europe.
For SMS group, supporting such transformations means helping our partners not only to reduce their emissions but also to strengthen their market position. The cold rolling complex is a cornerstone of that strategy; it ensures that fossil-free steel can be produced efficiently, reliably, and in world-class quality.
Simone Scheidgen, SSAB has made fossil-free steel a core part of its strategy. How is this commitment reflected in the design and operation of the cold rolling and strip processing complex?
Simone Scheidgen: We approached the cold rolling complex as a closed, circular system: every process step was analyzed for energy, water, and material efficiency. The goal was not only to make the plant efficient in operation but also to minimize its environmental footprint across its lifecycle. For instance, the complex is equipped with fully electrically heated Drever furnaces, significantly reducing its carbon footprint. Resource efficiency is further enhanced through closed-loop water circuits that reduce consumption across the plant. Complementing these measures is an innovative acid regeneration plant (ARP), which supports the sustainability of the pickling process by recovering and reconditioning hydrochloric acid.
Our sustainability approach covers the entire service life of the equipment, starting with how it is engineered, continuing with efficient and low-impact operation, and extending to how parts can be repaired. With durable materials, modular construction, and predictive maintenance, we not only reduce waste but also strengthen long-term performance.
In parallel, the plant’s digital ecosystem—based on our X-Pact® automation system and real-time data analytics—ensures integrated control of all processes. It continuously monitors key parameters, detects deviations early, and optimizes performance. This digital intelligence enhances efficiency and supports predictive maintenance, helping SSAB operate the plant as sustainably as possible.
In essence, the cold rolling complex is a showcase of sustainable, circular, and intelligent process design, combining electrification, digitalization, and resource efficiency in one integrated system.
Rainer Ott, what technological innovations make this cold rolling complex stand out?
Rainer Ott: The plant represents the culmination of decades of cold rolling and strip processing expertise, combined with advanced digital systems to ensure final product quality and efficiency.
The centerpiece is the five-stand tandem cold mill with CVC® plus technology, which guarantees outstanding strip flatness and thickness precision. This is especially crucial for advanced high-strength steels and coated steels. The mill’s design allows for quick grade changes and highly flexible production scheduling—essential for serving diverse customer markets. The integrated acid regeneration plant and water management systems minimize resource consumption and environmental impact.
Another major highlight is the continuous galvanizing line and the combined annealing/galvanizing line, both featuring fully electrically heated Drever furnaces, using induction heating and electrically powered radiant tubes to ensure precise temperature control while eliminating the need for fossil fuels in these processes. A further innovation is the AI-fueled X-Pact® Microstructure Property Model combined with the Drever mathematical model. This holistic approach uses real-time data from the galvanizing lines and the cold rolling mill to optimize heating profiles and microstructure properties, allowing specific adjustments during the production process and ensuring maximum precision and energy efficiency. The Duma-Bandzink air-knife systems achieve uniform coatings and targeted material properties. Both lines can apply coatings such as zinc-magnesium and aluminum-silicon to meet diverse corrosion protection needs. The recoiling and inspection line provides final quality assurance with integrated welding and inspection.
On top of that, the digital backbone of the lines—our X-Pact® automation, process models, and AI-driven analytics—interconnects all process stages within one intelligent ecosystem. Through continuous data evaluation, the plant can predict maintenance needs, optimize throughput, and further reduce waste.
Carl Orrling, how do these technologies align with SSAB’s product strategy?
Carl Orrling, SSAB: They fit perfectly. The flexibility and precision of the cold rolling complex will allow us to produce a wide range of grades, from regular cold-rolled sheet to advanced high-strength steels for demanding applications, such as electric vehicles. The electric heating systems and resource-efficient design fully support our sustainable production targets. This plant will set a benchmark for how sustainable technology and product innovation can go hand in hand.
Rainer Ott, how is the project progressing, and what are the next steps toward completion?
Rainer Ott: Basic engineering is nearing completion, detail engineering is continuing, and procurement has begun. Manufacturing started in January 2026, with key units will be manufactured at SMS group production sites. The upcoming milestones include acceptance tests in the workshops, followed by delivery and installation at the Luleå site.
Our focus now is to ensure smooth integration of all systems—from mechanical equipment to electrics and automation—while considering all related safety aspects. Once mechanical erection is complete, commissioning will begin, supported by virtual production simulations and digital twin technology to accelerate ramp-up and ensure the highest quality from the first coil.
Carl Orrling: We are fully aligned with SMS group regarding scope and schedule. This collaboration is built on close communication and mutual trust, which are essential for a project of this scale. The cold rolling and strip processing complex is one of the major steps toward establishing our future fossil-free production line, and we are eager to see it take shape.
Carl Orrling, what were the key factors behind SSAB’s decision to partner with SMS group for the cold rolling complex, and how has the cooperation developed since then?
Carl Orrling: When choosing our partner, we looked for technological leadership, proven reliability, and a shared understanding of sustainability. SMS group offered exactly that combination—deep expertise in cold rolling and processing technology, proven digital competence, and a commitment to support our long-term transformation.
The cooperation has been extremely constructive. SMS group’s teams have been responsive, transparent, and solution-oriented throughout the project. This has allowed us to move efficiently from concept to implementation.
Simone Scheidgen: For us at SMS group, the partnership with SSAB is defined by clarity, mutual respect, and a shared focus on execution. From day one, both teams have worked together with strong technical alignment and a mutual understanding of what this cold rolling complex must achieve. What stands out is the open communication and the professionalism on both sides—this is what enables a project of this scale to move forward efficiently and with confidence. The project has kicked off well, and with the timeline ahead, we are confident that our strong, trust-based collaboration will continue to drive this success.
Looking ahead, what does success look like for this project?
Simone Scheidgen: For SMS group, success means that the plant performs exactly as designed—achieving its production targets, quality standards, and sustainability benchmarks. The digitalization and electrification concepts integrated into this complex are future-proof, so the plant can continuously evolve as technology advances.
Carl Orrling: For SSAB, the cold rolling complex is not just a production facility; it’s the cornerstone of our fossil-free steel offering. Once operational, it will allow us to supply customers with high-quality, low-emission products that meet every performance expectation. That’s when we will know we’ve succeeded—when fossil-free steel becomes the new normal.