ABB Strengthens Its Role in Industrial Automation for Sustainable Steel Production
ABB has secured a landmark contract from Swedish steelmaker SSAB to design and deliver the main electrical infrastructure for its upcoming fossil-free steel plant in Luleå. The new facility will replace SSAB’s existing operations and is expected to begin fossil-free steel production by the end of 2029. Deliveries under this project are planned between 2025 and 2028.
This project underscores ABB’s leadership in industrial automation and electrification systems, supporting the global transition toward carbon-neutral manufacturing.
Comprehensive Electrical and Automation Scope
Under the agreement, ABB will provide end-to-end engineering and supply of electrical systems, including medium- and low-voltage switchgear, distribution transformers, UPS systems, direct current distribution, and backup power systems.
In addition, ABB will deliver automation, power control, and monitoring systems that integrate seamlessly with PLC and DCS-based control architectures, ensuring high operational reliability and efficient energy management. ABB will act as the sole supplier, handling installation, commissioning, and system integration for the entire plant.
Driving Energy Efficiency and Operational Reliability
The collaboration highlights how factory automation and advanced control technologies can dramatically improve energy efficiency in heavy industries such as steel manufacturing. By integrating intelligent power management and automation solutions, ABB enables SSAB to reduce energy losses and optimize load balancing across the facility.
Moreover, ABB’s technology portfolio—ranging from smart drives to digital control systems—ensures data transparency and predictive maintenance, which are essential for reducing downtime and achieving consistent production quality.
Aligning with Global Sustainability and Electrification Trends
This partnership aligns with a broader industrial trend toward electrified and sustainable production systems. As global demand for low-emission materials grows, steel producers are investing heavily in green transformation projects.
ABB’s involvement positions it as a key player in Europe’s decarbonization roadmap, where automation and control technologies play a pivotal role in replacing fossil-based production processes with clean energy solutions.
From an industry perspective, such large-scale automation projects demonstrate how integrated electrical and digital systems can accelerate sustainability goals without compromising productivity or safety.
Expert Insight: The Future of Smart Steel Plants
The integration of automation, electrification, and digital control marks a new era for smart steel plants. In the coming years, industrial facilities will increasingly rely on connected PLC and DCS networks to coordinate every stage of production.
According to ABB’s strategic direction, the company is not merely a supplier but a system integrator—bridging electrical design, automation logic, and data analytics. This holistic approach ensures not only operational efficiency but also measurable environmental benefits.
For automation engineers, this project serves as a model of how industrial control systems can evolve to support real-time energy optimization and autonomous operation in high-demand environments.
Application Scenarios and Solution Use Cases
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Greenfield Steel Plants: Integrating ABB’s electrical and automation systems enables faster commissioning and unified control architectures.
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Retrofit Projects: Upgrading legacy systems with ABB PLC and DCS platforms enhances energy monitoring and predictive maintenance.
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Sustainable Manufacturing: Using electrification and digital monitoring tools reduces CO₂ emissions and supports ESG reporting.