ArcelorMittal to supply GM with XCarb

The ArcelorMittal North America business unit of the global steelmaker will supply General Motors (GM) with its XCarb recycled-content steel, offering the automaker what it calls significantly reduced CO₂ emissions.

ArcelorMittal says the carbon footprint of XCarb is lower compared to much of the carbon steel available in North America. The firm says some XCarb steel will be supplied from ArcelorMittal Dofasco in Hamilton, Ontario, with shipments expected to begin soon.

ArcelorMittal North America says its XCarb steel is made with electric arc furnace (EAF) technology and contains a stated minimum of 70 percent scrap, with up to 90 percent scrap content, and does not use carbon offsets to achieve the reduced carbon intensity.

“This is a terrific first step in supplying steel with substantially lower CO2 emissions to automakers in North America,” says Peter Leblanc of ArcelorMittal. “As a global leader in the steel industry, we are making smarter steels for people and planet, and XCarb RRP [recycled and renewably produced] is one of the smartest steels around.

“It is not the result of clever accounting or offsets, it is steel with physically lower CO₂ emissions, which will help drive the achievement of ArcelorMittal’s goal to be carbon neutral. We are proud to join GM in their march toward a zero emissions future.”

“This agreement provides another example of how we are innovating with our suppliers to reduce emissions throughout the supply chain," GM Vice President Jeff Morrison adds. "It also highlights how strong supplier relationships can help build a better, more sustainable future.” 

ArcelorMittal says its Dofasco is undergoing a transformation to reduce carbon emissions at that facility by approximately 60 percent by moving to an EAF process. In addition to scrap, the mill also will melt direct reduced iron.

When that conversion is complete, all ArcelorMittal facilities in North America that make automotive steel will use EAF technology, the firm says.