Transparent labeling is important for demonstrating the level of decarbonization of a company's products

Swedish startup Stegra (formerly H2GreenSteel) has joined the Low Emission Steel Standard (LESS). This was announced in a statement by the company.

LESS was founded with the aim of creating a single standard and reliable labeling for low- and near-zero-emission steel. Currently, the members of the initiative represent approximately 45% of steel production in Europe.

“We are creating a company that will produce only near-zero emission steel from day one. For us, reliable and transparent labeling, such as LESS, is important to demonstrate the level of decarbonization of our products and ensure access to future-oriented markets,” said Niklas Wass, Head of Operations at Boden in Stegra.

He added that, in the company’s opinion, LESS should be adopted as the official EU label for low- and near-zero-emission steel.

Carmen Ostwald, Secretary General of LESS, welcomed Stegra’s membership, noting that the company brings both technical excellence and a strong vision for sustainable development to the community.

In July this year, ArcelorMittal’s plants in Belgium, France, Luxembourg, and Spain joined LESS, following ArcelorMittal Germany, which became one of the founders of the initiative last year.

LESS is a voluntary standard that supports industrial decarbonization. It was presented in April 2024 by the German Steel Association WV Stahl and the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection. LESS combines two production methods: traditional blast furnace production in the transition to hydrogen-based production processes and scrap-based electric steel production, which already has low CO2 emissions. The standard makes it possible to compare the decarbonization efforts of both methods.