Sustainable World through Steels

Program launch event

We are excited to welcome you to the launch event of the Sustainable World through Steels (SWS) programme organised on the 7th October, 2026 in Hämeenlinna, Finland. Join us on-site to hear more about the programme, its four thematic areas, partner insights and collaboration opportunities for you!


Sustainable World through Steels is a 5-year research and development program with an ecosystem investment exceeding EUR 100 million. The program aims to build a world-leading high-strength fossil-free steel production system. Funding from Business Finland is highly acknowledged.

Read more about the SWS Program

Agenda

  • 11.00-12.00 Registration & lunch

Opening session

  • 12:00 Welcome, Markku Heino, Spinverse (moderator)
  • 12:05 SSAB leading the green transformation of steel industry, Janne Pirttijoki, Managing Director, SSAB Europe Oy
  • 12:30 Overview of Sustainable World through Steels Veturi program, Jarmo Lilja, SWS Programme manager, SSAB
  • 12:45 Building impact with Veturi ecosystems,Teija Lahti-Nuuttila, Executive Director at Business Finland

Thematic session: SWS focus areas, key challenges & partner views

  • 13:00-13:30 Solutions for fossil-free electric steelmaking, Jarmo Lilja, SSAB partner views by Lauri Peltola (Coolbrook) and Nina Grönqvist (Hycamite)
  • 13:30-14:15 Coffee & networking
  • 14:15-14:45 Optimization and development of sustainable fossil-free supply chain through digitalization, Mikko Koskela, SSAB partner views by Konsta Karioja (University of Oulu), Jarmo Valtokari (SSAB), and Keimo Laakso (SSAB)
  • 14:45-15:15 Low emission steel applications and value chains in high volumes, Pasi Suikkanen, SSAB partner views by Perttu Laurinen (Indalgo), Antti Ahola (LUT University), and Charlotta Risku (Mirka)
  • 15:15-15:45 Steel mill circular material valorization, Marko Mäkikyrö, SSAB partner views by Jenni Kiventerä (Consolis Parma), Timo Fabritius (University of Oulu), and Jukka Lehtovuori (Kemira)

Interactive session

  • 15:45-16:00 Wrap-up: Reflections & Call for action, Jarmo Lilja
  • 16:00-17:00 Networking with refreshments: meet key experts, bring your ideas into discussion and build them further together with partners

 

Location: Vanajanlinna Juhlapaviljonki, Vanajanlinnantie 476, Hämeenlinna

Key objectives

A key objective of the programme is to create an active ecosystem to tackle the ambitious R&D challenges together in creating create new and improved industrial applications that drive business growth and increase Finnish exports.

We aim to bring together a wide and multi-disciplinary group of partners to advance fossil-free steelmaking, digitalized and sustainable supply chains, circular material use, and low-emission steel applications.

The programme

The extensive five-year RDI programme led by SSAB and co-funded by Business Finland will drive decarbonization of the steel and mechanical engineering sectors focusing on transition to fossil‑free steel production and joint development of low‑carbon products utilizing high-strength fossil-free steels with customers for e.g. marine, automotive, construction and energy sectors.

Solutions for fossil free electric steelmaking

Provides solutions for fossil-free steelmaking processes, covering the entire value chain from raw materials and energy to downstream operations, enabling manufacturing of fossil-free steels without compromising their performance and quality.

Theme leader:
Jarmo Lilja

Optimization and development of a sustainable fossil free supply chain through digitalization

Enables the development, manufacturing, and delivery of fossil-free steel products with high quality, efficiency, and reliability. This requires significant advancements in digitalization, technology, manufacturing processes and maintenance.

Theme leader:
Mikko Koskela

Low emission steel applications and value chains at large scale

Accelerates the industrial adoption of fossil-free and low-CO₂ steels by co-developing advanced steel grades and high-volume end-use applications in close collaboration with Finnish and global industrial and academic partners.

Theme leader:
Pasi Suikkanen

Circular utilization of steel mill side streams and materials

Aims to maximize the value extracted from steelmaking by-products by developing innovative processing, modification, and application methods. The theme covers the characterization and enhancement of by-product properties, enabling their use in construction, infrastructure, and other industries.

Theme leader:
Marko Mäkikyrö

More information

Jarmo Lilja
SWS Veturi ecosystem manager
e-mail: [email protected]

Sergei Chekurov
SWS Veturi ecosystem coordination, Spinverse
email: [email protected]SWS project website
pdf117 Kb
SWS Roadmap