Toyota Material Handling Europe has taken a significant step in moving towards sustainable manufacturing by becoming the first material handling equipment manufacturer to integrate SSAB Zero, a steel made from recycled materials using fossil-free electricity and biogas. The initiative will see the company produce the forks and frames for its hand pallet trucks with significantly lower carbon emissions.
Toyota Material Handling Europe has secured the delivery of SSAB Zero steels, which match the quality and properties of conventional SSAB steel while drastically reducing its environmental footprint.
“We aim to be a leader in the sustainable transformation of our value chain and are building a resilient supply chain together with our suppliers,” said Giorgio Polonio, VP Purchasing, Supply at Toyota Material Handling Europe.
SSAB, a global leader in sustainable steel production, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership. “We are happy to work with Toyota in producing the next generation of material handling equipment with a lower carbon footprint. Toyota Material Handling Europe has been our customer via our subsidiary, Tibnor, for over 20 years, and we are ramping up our collaboration based on our mutual trust and common goal of a fossil-free future,” said Tony Harris, Head of SSAB Europe.
Commitment to Net Zero
In early 2024, Toyota Material Handling Europe’s near- and long-term science-based targets were validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). These targets align with global efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C and are set to achieve net zero by fiscal year 2041.
The company is ramping up its use of recycled steel produced with fossil-free electricity and biogas as part of its broader net-zero strategy. Toyota Material Handling Europe aims to make low-carbon steel the standard in its product lines, starting with its most popular hand pallet truck models.
Reducing Carbon Emissions in Material Handling Equipment
Toyota Material Handling Europe’s industry-first initiative includes replacing the material in the forks and frames of its high-volume LHM230 hand pallet truck with SSAB Zero steel. This transition reduces CO2 emissions by 77% compared to traditional iron-ore-based steel.
This move marks a major step toward reducing material-related emissions and aligns with Toyota Material Handling Europe’s net zero targets. By integrating SSAB Zero™ into its supply chain, the company is reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and industry leadership in reducing carbon footprints across its operations.
