Fossil-Free Mining Innovations

GreenIron, a Swedish pioneer in fossil-free metal production, has selected ABB to provide its Ability System 800xA distributed control system (DCS) for the first commercial facility in Sandviken, Sweden. The ABB solution will integrate control, safety and power management into a unified automation platform, enabling real-time plant visibility, data-driven decision-making and operational stability. GreenIron’s hydrogen-based reduction technology, managed by the ABB DCS, produces fossil-free sponge iron with water as the only residual byproduct, replacing traditional coal-based processes and enhancing process efficiency.

Each furnace equipped with the ABB system is projected to cut carbon emissions by approximately 56,000 tonnes annually compared to conventional methods, and scaling up to 300 furnaces could mitigate around 35 percent of Sweden’s annual CO₂ emissions. The collaboration also supports circular economy objectives by converting both virgin ore and industrial byproducts—such as landfill residues—into high-value raw materials for steelmaking and other metal fabrication. By combining GreenIron’s patented reduction technology with ABB’s automation expertise, the partnership aims to accelerate the industry’s transition to low-carbon, energy-efficient and circular production practices in the metals and mining sectors.

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