Swedish miner LKAB receives permit for fossil-free sponge iron plant
2026-06-16 11:46:56 [Print]
A Swedish environmental court gave the green light on Monday for state-owned mining group LKAB to build a fossil-free sponge iron plant at its Malmberget site in G?llivare.
The demonstration plant will be a key component of the Hybrit "green steel" initiative, which is jointly owned by LKAB, steelmaker SSAB, and state-owned utility Vattenfall.
The venture aims to replace traditional coking coal-essential for ore-based steelmaking-with hydrogen and electricity.
A final investment decision for the Hybrit demonstration plant is still pending. Once completed, the facility is expected to produce up to 1.5 million tonnes of fossil-free sponge iron annually. A smaller Hybrit pilot plant in Lulea has been operational since 2020.
In 2025, LKAB's mines produced approximately 26 million tonnes of iron ore products.
The demonstration plant will be a key component of the Hybrit "green steel" initiative, which is jointly owned by LKAB, steelmaker SSAB, and state-owned utility Vattenfall.
The venture aims to replace traditional coking coal-essential for ore-based steelmaking-with hydrogen and electricity.
A final investment decision for the Hybrit demonstration plant is still pending. Once completed, the facility is expected to produce up to 1.5 million tonnes of fossil-free sponge iron annually. A smaller Hybrit pilot plant in Lulea has been operational since 2020.
In 2025, LKAB's mines produced approximately 26 million tonnes of iron ore products.
