CAN WE BE FOSSIL-FREE? MULTILIFT IS GOING THERE.

The concept of being ‘fossil-free’ evokes a wide spectrum of views, from strong advocacy to eliminate them completely to equally loud voices seeking to maintain fossil fuels for economic stability or to transition slowly away from them.

That said, it has been proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that burning fossil fuels is the major cause of global warming and climate change. And one of the biggest contributors is traditional steel manufacturing—an integral component of virtually all heavy equipment, including HIAB cranes, Moffett forklifts and Multilift hooklifts (all under the HIAB umbrella).

It’s something that needs to change. The world needs a carbon-neutral alternative, and soon.

The technology exists. SSAB’s fossil-free steel uses HYBRIT technology, which replaces the traditional coke coal used in iron-ore-based steelmaking with fossil-free electricity and hydrogen. The result is steel production with virtually no carbon emissions.

For several years, HIAB has been working closely with SSAB to use its fossil-free steel in its load-handling equipment. HIAB pioneered the world’s first fossil-free steel hooklift, a Multilift, in 2022. They have been exploring the full potential of the technology since then, intending to manufacture all Multilift parts and products that use the material on a larger scale as it becomes available, projected for 2026. That’s this year!!

A full transition to fossil-free steel will have an enormous positive impact on HIAB’s CO2 emissions and also help Multilift customers achieve their sustainability goals. Together with their electric cranes and award-winning all-electric Moffett forklifts, this will help HIAB to meet its commitment to being a 1.5˚C company.

Can we be fossil-free? It’s a debate that will likely never find consensus. Should we be doing everything we can to transition? You bet!