Co-creation for innovation, the theme of the Swedish pavilion at Expo 2020 in Dubai, might sound like a mere ideology – but Swedish businesses are operating by the words, creating a more sustainable future. Swedish businesses Volvo Cars and SSAB has announced a joint project, setting an example for what we can achieve when co-creating.

The two companies has joined forces, exploring the use of fossil-free steel from SSAB’s HYBRIT initiative in the automotive industry. Volvo Cars is the first car manufacturer to secure steel from the HYBRIT initiative. The steel will be used for testing purposes and the collaboration might result in a concept car.

The HYBRIT initiative is the steel industry’s most ambitious and advanced project in fossil-free steel development so far. It was started by Swedish companies SSAB, LKAB and Vattenfall who joined forces to create fossil-free steelmaking technology, by replacing coking coal with fossil-free electricity and hydrogen. This new steelmaking technology is expected to virtually leave no carbon footprint. The HYBRIT pilot plant is located in Luleå in Sweden.

“Our breakthrough technology has virtually no carbon footprint and will help strengthen our customer´s competitiveness. Together with Volvo Cars, we aim to develop fossil-free steel products for the cars of the future,” says Martin Lindqvist, President and CEO at SSAB, underlining the possibilities that comes with the cooperation.

Fossil-free steel seems to be the future of the steel industry. SSAB aims to supply the market with fossil-free steel at a commercial scale by 2026 and Volvo Cars’ goal is to be the first carmaker using fossil-free steel in their own production.

Both the HYBRIT initiative itself and the collaboration between Volvo Cars and SSAB are great examples of innovation that can come from co-creating. Both the companies will participate in Sweden’s presence at Expo 2020 Dubai, together with several other companies. In the Swedish pavilion, more initiatives like this will be displayed, encouraging to, and showcasing, the possibilities with co-creation.