Sustainable World through Steels

Program launch event

🕒 7th October 2026 at 11:00-17:00 (add to calendar)

📍Vanajanlinna Juhlapaviljonki, Vanajanlinnantie 476, HĂ€meenlinna


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 HĂ€meenlinna, 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.

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
  • 12:20 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 MĂ€kikyrö, SSAB partner views by Jenni KiventerĂ€ (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

Register now

How:
Face-to-Face event
What:
At the launch, you will hear what the programme is aiming to achieve, and what is the motivation behind it. You will also learn about the R&D themes and concrete upcoming activities of the programme and who can join the programme.


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Location

Vanajanlinna Juhlapaviljonki

Vanajanlinnantie 476, HĂ€meenlinna

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 MÀkikyrö

More information

Jarmo Lilja
SWS Veturi ecosystem manager

Sergei Chekurov
SWS Veturi ecosystem coordination, Spinverse