HIAB UNVEILS THE WORLD’S FIRST HOOKLIFT MADE FROM FOSSIL-FREE STEEL

It looks like steel, behaves like steel, wears like steel and has the same properties. But there is no coal used in this steelmaking process by Swedish company SSAB. Its game-changing HYBRIT technology uses hydrogen and fossil-free electricity in its steelmaking process.

HIAB, through a strategic partnership between parent company Cargotec and SSAB, is pioneering its use in load-handling equipment, seeking to revolutionize the industry and pave the way for others to follow.

They unveil the world’s first hooklift – a MULTILIFT ULTIMA – made in its majority with the test production of this sustainable steel this week at IAA TRANSPORTATION in Hannover, Germany. The equipment was recently on display from 22 – 25 September this year.

Steel production accounts for 7 percent of global C02 emissions and 10 – 15 percent of the world’s demand for coal. One tonne of iron-ore-based steel produces double its weight in C02 emissions. SSAB’s new technology produces almost zero.

SSAB aims to have its high-tech steel commercially available by 2026. CARGOTEC and HIAB have committed to the United Nations Global Compact’s Business Ambition for 1.5˚C. Transitioning to SSAB’s steel product will help them meet an ambitious goal to reduce their carbon footprint by 50% and achieve fully carbon-neutral operations by 2030.

As the climate crisis increases, demand for climate-conscious manufacturing alternatives will only grow. The fossil-free-steel MULTILIFT ULTIMA truck-mounted hooklift taking centre stage and will be the first of many as HIAB paves the way for sustainable load-handling equipment.

Climate change matters – to HIAB, to us, to everyone. Let’s all be part of the change.