From the series „Eco-friendly solutions and technologies – trends 2023”.
Introducing GreenCoat®—the brand behind innovative, eco-friendly, organic-coated steel solutions—for roofs, facades and gutter systems. GreenCoat® products are developed for exceptional aesthetics and durability. They provide architects and contractors with new opportunities to create creative and innovative buildings using the most environmentally friendly organic-coated steels available on the market. Learn how GreenCoat® was developed and why creating innovative roofs and facades starts with Swedish rapeseed oil.
GreenCoat® is an innovative, eco-friendly, organic-coated steel solution
© SAAB
Scandinavian-quality steel and bio-coatings
There are many things that set GreenCoat® apart from other building materials. One of the most important is sustainability. Most GreenCoat® products contain a bio coating that uses a significant amount of Swedish rapeseed oil instead of the traditional petroleum-based ingredients. This unique, SSAB-patented solution reduces the environmental impact significantly and makes organic-coated GreenCoat® products the most sustainable offering on the market for roofs, facades and gutter systems.
GreenCoat® is produced from rapeseed oil
© SAAB
History of organically coated GreenCoat® steel
SSAB has been producing organic-coated steels for the construction industry for more than 50 years. What started as an idea in 2002 has brought about huge, positive changes in environmental issues in the construction industry. At the time, the most environmentally friendly move in the industry was to remove chromate from paint systems for organic-coated sheets. Something that is standard today. For a global steel company like SSAB, this was not enough. SSAB scientists and engineers were convinced that in the future, the market would need solutions that were even more focused on environmental protection. Therefore, the goal was to develop a better organic coating made from natural raw materials. One with tangible environmental benefits and even better performance.
GreenCoat® organic coated steels became a reality after:
- more than 10 years of research and testing under harsh weather conditions,
- 6 scientific papers,
- 1 doctoral thesis,
- more than 10 conferences,
- 1 worldwide patent.
SSAB scientists and engineers were convinced that in the future, the market would need solutions even more focused on environmental protection
© SAAB
Why steel?
Steel in buildings is not new. GreenCoat® steel products are easy to form, less prone to buckling and other unwanted deformations, and retain their uniform appearance for many years, providing a longer service life. When it comes to sustainability, steel is one of the few materials that can be 100% recycled—without creating hazardous waste. Steel can also be easily used for other purposes and emits lessCO2 during production than other typical building materials, such as aluminum. Steel is the preferred material for buildings. Many countries prohibit the use of non-ferrous metals, such as zinc or copper, in buildings because of the risk of soil contamination during rainfall.
SAAB Steel
© SAAB
The effect of steel production at SSAB will soon be water, notCO2. Steel without fossil fuels thanks to HYBRIT technology
In line with Sweden's goal to become a carbon-neutral country by 2045, SSAB is committed to sustainable steel production. SSAB is a participant in the HYBRIT project aiming to eliminate fossil fuels in steel production by 2026.
Fossil fuel-free steel through HYBRIT technology
© SAAB
In 2016, SSAB, LKAB and Vattenfall joined forces to create HYBRIT. HYBRIT aims to convert coking coal, traditionally used to make steel from iron ore, into hydrogen derived from renewable energy. The result will be unique: the world's first steelmaking technology that does not use fossil fuels, with negligible environmental impact from coal. The byproduct obtained in steel production would be water, not carbon dioxide.
Lilla Integralen, proj.: Sandellsandberg Arkitekter, Stockholm
© SAAB
For more information, visit the company's SSAB Poland Sp. z o.o. page on PdA.
