Swedish startup GreenIron is working to reduce carbon emissions in the metals and mining industry. The company is partnering with ABB to introduce automation technology at its first commercial facility in Sandviken, Sweden. This collaboration aims to improve efficiency and support more sustainable iron and steel production.

GreenIron is all about making metal production cleaner. Instead of relying on coal, they use a hydrogen-based reduction process to create fossil-free sponge iron, a key ingredient in steelmaking. The best part? The only byproduct is water, not CO₂. Just one of their furnaces could cut 56,000 tonnes of emissions per year. Now imagine 300 of them—that’s a reduction equal to 35% of Sweden’s annual CO₂ output. 

Making this vision a reality means having the right tech in place, and that’s where ABB comes in. GreenIron is using ABB’s Ability™ System 800xA® to help monitor and control operations. The system will provide real-time data, improve efficiency, and support better decision-making—important steps in scaling up sustainable metal production.

“This collaboration with ABB is a crucial part of our growth,” said Ulrika Molander, Chief Operating Officer at GreenIron. “With their system, we’ll be able to stabilize operations at every stage and analyze data to continuously improve. It’s an exciting time for us.”

ABB, known for its expertise in electrification and automation, sees the partnership as a perfect fit for its mission to make industries cleaner and more efficient.

“Together with GreenIron, we’re tackling the sustainability goals that the metals industry—and society as a whole—urgently need to meet,” said Martin Björnmalm, ABB’s Local Business Line Manager for Metals in Sweden. “This is the kind of project that makes a real impact, and we’re bringing in scalable technology that can grow with GreenIron’s vision.”

GreenIron’s process isn’t just about cutting emissions—it wants to turn waste into something useful. Instead of letting industrial leftovers and landfill materials go to waste, they transform them into valuable raw materials for steelmaking, electric arc furnaces, and smelting plants.

Plus, both GreenIron and ABB have built their tech to run on renewable energy like wind and solar. The big-picture goal? A completely CO₂-free metal production process—a huge deal when you consider that metals and mining contribute around 8% of global CO₂ emissions, according to the IEA. As the industry shifts toward digitalization, ABB’s System 800xA wants to try and help ensure smooth, safe, and efficient operations. 

The technology has been a key player in process and energy industries for over 40 years, helping companies boost productivity while keeping an eye on sustainability. This partnership could be a game-changer for making metal production cleaner, greener, and more sustainable for the future.