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Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced significant advancements in the sustainable construction of its new data centers in the Mälardalen region of Sweden as part of its expansion in Europe. The company is utilizing low-carbon steel and other technological innovations to reduce carbon emissions associated with building digital infrastructure.
The data centers, located in Eskilstuna, Katrineholm, and Västerås, are scheduled for completion by mid-2025. These facilities will not only meet the growing demand for generative artificial intelligence and machine learning services but will also set new sustainability standards in the industry.
Recycled Steel to Reduce Emissions
AWS has collaborated with its supply chain to use recycled steel produced in electric arc furnaces (EAF) instead of conventional steel made with basic oxygen furnaces, a technique that utilizes coal and coke and generates high carbon dioxide emissions.
In the data centers in Eskilstuna and Västerås, at least 70% of the structural steel will come from the EAF process, preventing 10,000 tons of embedded carbon emissions. This approach allows for the use of electricity, rather than fossil fuels, as the primary energy source, achieving a significant reduction in carbon footprint.
Katrineholm: Steel with 100% Carbon-Free Electricity
In Katrineholm, AWS has taken it a step further by using steel produced exclusively with carbon-free electricity and without natural gas. This approach reduces the emissions associated with steel production to one-seventh of those generated by conventional methods, saving 5,900 tons of carbon compared to traditional methods.
Innovation with “Fossil-Free” Steel in Västerås
In Västerås, AWS is partnering with SSAB and Ruukki Construction to incorporate steel produced using HYBRIT technology (Hydrogen Breakthrough Ironmaking Technology). This method uses hydrogen generated with carbon-free electricity to convert iron ore into steel, emitting water vapor instead of carbon dioxide.
“Reducing embedded carbon in the construction of our data centers is a key priority to achieve our net-zero emissions goal by 2040,” said Kellen O’Connor, Managing Director of AWS Northern Europe. “We are thrilled to collaborate with innovative companies like SSAB to establish a new standard for sustainable infrastructure.”
Industry Leaders Supporting Sustainability
Steel production using HYBRIT technology represents a revolution in the industry, reducing carbon emissions by 90% compared to traditional methods. AWS has been a pioneer in incorporating this material in the facade of its new data centerA data center or data processing center… in Västerås, marking a milestone in the sustainability of data center construction.
“The use of our technology demonstrates that it is possible to construct data centers while drastically reducing their carbon footprint, whether with recycled steel or low-carbon virgin steel,” noted Thomas Hörnfeldt, Vice President of Sustainable Business at SSAB.
A Step Towards the Future
AWS’s efforts reflect its commitment to sustainability in the tech and construction sectors, tackling the challenge of decarbonizing one of the most difficult industries. These projects in Sweden not only optimize digital infrastructure to meet business demand, but also contribute to the development of technologies that have the potential to transform entire sectors toward a more sustainable future.