The HYBRIT pilot plant in Luleå, Sweden.

HYBRIT (Hydrogen Breakthrough Ironmaking Technology) set out to develop the first value-chain for fossil-free steel, produced with fossil-free electricity and hydrogen. The ambitious collaboration between SSAB, LKAB and Vattenfall, with results that prove the technology works, plans to transition from its successful pilot phase towards industrial scale production in the years to come. The initiative aims to cut Sweden’s carbon dioxide emissions by at least 10 percent and Finland’s by 7 percent and serves as a global model for sustainable steel production.

“It’s a true honour to have HYBRIT’s approach celebrated by the GAEA Awards,” says Anna Borg, CEO and President of Vattenfall. “Putting sustainability at the core of our business strategy and partnering with SSAB and LKAB has been crucial for this its success. Collaboration is key and I am very proud of how much we have accomplished together. Climate change is one of the most important issues of our time and to fight it, we need to utilize the driving force of a growing economy, profitable businesses and the innovation and funding that comes with that.”

“The GAEA Awards entrusted prominent figures in climate, nature and sustainability with selecting the awardees,” says André Hoffmann, chair of the jury. “These five partnerships stood out for their potential to drive system-wide transformation by mobilizing multi-sector collaborators and integrating equity, inclusion and just transition principles into all their activities and objectives.”

“We are grateful to the WEF and GAEA Awards for recognizing the HYBRIT initiative as a groundbreaking partnership,” says Johnny Sjöström, President and CEO of SSAB. “Thanks to the successful results from the pilot phase, we are transforming our Nordic production system to sharply lower fossil carbon emissions and deliver more value for customers. We are proud to collaborate with LKAB and Vattenfall to lead the iron and steel industry toward a more competitive and sustainable future.”

“We are honoured to receive this recognition by the GAEA Awards and the World Economic Forum,” says Jan Moström, President and CEO of LKAB. “It is an important acknowledgement of the groundbreaking collaboration and journey we have undertaken together with SSAB and Vattenfall. The results show that the HYBRIT process works and that we are well positioned for the next step of industrializing the technology and establishing a competitive value chain for the fossil-free iron- and steelmaking of the future.”

GAEA Awards:

- The inaugural Giving to Amplify Earth Action (GAEA) Awards recognize groundbreaking partnerships tackling global climate and nature challenges with innovative, scalable solutions.
- From over 120 initial nominations, an expert independent jury selected five transformative initiatives driving systemic change worldwide: Decarbonising Rice, Built by Nature, HYBRIT, Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, and Youth Climate Justice Fund.
- The awardees are honoured for pioneering, adaptable, impact-driven efforts in science, innovation, business action, cross-sector partnerships and intergenerational leadership.

About the Davos Annual Meeting 2025:

The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025, taking place in Davos-Klosters January 20-24, convenes global leaders under the theme, Collaboration for the Intelligent Age. The meeting will foster new partnerships and insights to shape a more sustainable, inclusive future in an era of rapidly advancing technology, focusing on five key areas: reimagining growth, industries in the intelligent age, investing in people, safeguarding the planet, and rebuilding trust.

Read more about HYBRIT.