ABB: Using Sustainable Sourcing to Reduce Carbon Footprint
ABB, a technology leader in electrification and automation, is partnering with ArcelorMittal to introduce XCarb steel, which is made with high levels of recycled steel, as well as 100% renewable energy for its trusted Kabeldon power distribution system.
The sustainable sourcing agreement helps reduce the carbon footprint of key electrification equipment by 29%.
Passionate about introducing circular business models
ABB Smart Power President, Massimiliano Cifalitti, says: "ABB people are passionate about introducing circular business models that increase the lifetime of materials and products – and collaborating with supply partners to introduce more sustainable alternatives."
"Customers have long counted on Kabeldon power distribution systems to provide decades of reliable and safe electricity. Now available with XCarb® steel, Kabeldon will also help them reduce their power infrastructure's environmental footprint."
With the use of XCarb steel, the team behind Kabeldon has lowered the manufacturing carbon footprint by 60kg CO2e, a 29% reduction.
An important element of ABB's sustainable sourcing strategy is low-carbon emissions steel, as well as being a focus for the ABB Smart Power division's portfolio in the next two years.
Overall, ABB has committed to covering 80% of ABB products and solutions with ABB's Circularity Approach by 2030.
Passion for innovation
Laurent Plasman, CMO Industry, ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products, adds: "We share ABB's passion for innovation that drives reductions in CO2e emissions across the complete life cycle of products."
"Our mills and technical teams worked closely with ABB experts throughout to prove that solutions made with our low carbon emissions materials deliver ABB's trademark of reliability and performance.
"We are excited to see industry leaders accelerating the introduction of steel with a significantly reduced CO2e footprint."
As it has been designed for outdoor environments, Kabeldon provides safe, reliable and weather-resistant power distribution.
It has long been popular with the utilities industry and is now being used across the electric vehicle charging infrastructure and renewable energy applications.
The Kabeldon cabinet already has a Type III Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) verified by a third party.
The cabinet featuring XCarb will receive its own EPD in the coming months.
EPDs provide transparency on the environmental impacts of a product across its full life cycle. ABB is going the extra mile to have its EPDs verified by an independent programme operator.
The transition to more sustainable material sourcing
ArcelorMittal, one of the world's leading integrated steel and mining companies, has a presence in 60 countries and primary steelmaking operations in 15 countries. Its XCarb recycled and renewable produced steel is made using a minimum of 75% recycled steel in an electric arc furnace, powered by 100% renewable electricity.
This has led to CO2e emissions being up to 70% lower than steel produced in a more conventional way.
The steel supplied to ABB, which includes steel coated with Magnelis for corrosion resistance as well as cold-rolled steel, is manufactured and distributed in Europe.
Low-carbon emissions steel is an important raw material for the transition to more sustainable material sourcing, a KPI in ABB's Circularity Approach.
The successful embedding of XCarb contributes directly to ABB's commitment to have 80% of its products and systems meet the company's circularity requirements by 2030.
Make sure you check out the latest edition of Procurement Magazine and also sign up to our global conference series - Procurement & Supply Chain 2025.
Procurement Magazine is a BizClik brand.