Together we create steel for a decarbonized society
Nordic steel meets world‑class performance – Ovako announces partnership with Daniel Ståhl
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About Ovako
We are proud to be named Career Company 2026 - Again
For the fourth year in a row, Ovako is named one of Sweden’s most attractive employers, with focus on sustainable development, fossil-free steel and an inclusive workplace.
Customer case
VETTERs reputation is built on safety and reliability
For over 40 years, VETTER has trusted Ovako steel to deliver strength, safety and reliability in the toughest environments. Discover how precision materials raise fork performance worldwide.
Services
The top five questions we get from customers
Behind every steel order is more than schedules—it’s communication, flexibility, and people making things happen. With 29 yrs experience, Ulla Kaski shares the 5 top customer questions.
Employee Stories
Our iron ladies: celebrating International Women’s Day at Ovako
Meet the women shaping the future of steel. In this International Women’s Day story, Ovako colleagues share their experiences, challenges and advice from working in a traditionally male-dominated industry.
Sustainability
How CBAM is changing the rules for the steel industry
The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism is redefining global steelmaking. Discover how CBAM affects emissions, import costs, and what it means for steel producers like Ovako—and why cleaner, low-carbon technologies are the way forward.
Research and Insights
How lean alloy steels enable green ammonia engines
Using ammonia as an alternative fuel introduces unique corrosion and cracking risks for steel components. Ovako’s advanced lean alloy steels are designed to overcome these challenges and support the shift toward carbon-free combustion.
Research and Insights
How to predict the corrosion resistance of steels alloyed with aluminum
Discover how our innovative Hybrid Steel® achieves superior corrosion resistance despite high aluminum content, with a new Corrosion Resistance Index (CRI) developed to predict performance where traditional PREN falls short.
About Ovako
Discover Stålverket – Ovako’s New Podcast!
Step into the world of the steel industry with our new podcast Stålverket. We bring you inspiring stories from engineers, insights into sustainable production, and a unique glimpse into life at our high-tech steel plants
Customer case
NiKrom III: A greener, stronger coating for hydraulic rods
NiKrom III is Ovako’s next-generation coating for hydraulic piston rods—delivering superior durability and corrosion resistance without hexavalent chrome. Proven in harsh mining environments and ready for large-scale adoption.
Sustainability
Bringing the Ovako way to life
Ovako is uniting strategy, values, and action to create steel that respects both people and planet. The Ovako Way is more than a statement – it’s a living commitment to drive real change.
Career
Together We Build the Future Locally
We are happy and proud that Ovako has once again been nominated as a "Career Company" for 2025. This nomination is not only a recognition of our work at the corporate level but also a testament to the efforts being made locally at our sites in Hofors, Hällefors, Smedjebacken, Boxholm and Hallstahammar.
Sustainability
Green steel - the uncomfortable truth
Green steel is generating a lot of media buzz, but just what does that really mean? What factors should customers consider for sustainability? Vendela Stenius, Ovako’s Sustainability and Communications Specialist, explains why we ground our claims in hard facts and never actually talk about “green steel”.
Career
Apprenticeship Opens New Career Paths
Ovako’s apprenticeship program offers a hands-on way to become a professional in metal refining. Henri Luostarinen and Marjo Saarela both started this journey with different backgrounds but share the same goal: to gain a new profession in a stable and diverse industrial company. Read more about their learnings.
Employee Stories
Young Professional Network
The Young Professional Network at Ovako is helping its young talents grow and work together.
Customer case
Pumping Iron
With more than a thousand world records under its belt, Eleiko has long been the barbell of choice among weightlifters worldwide. How did a small, family-owned Swedish company that specialized in waffle irons become the world’s most highly regarded barbell? And what role has Ovako’s steel played in this success story?
Career
Ovako's Nomination for Career Company of the Year 2024
Ovako is proud to be recognized for its commitment to sustainability, innovation, and creating an inclusive workplace where employees can grow and make a positive impact.
Career
Awarded the Career Company Award 2025
We are very pleased that Ovako has been awarded the Career Company Award 2025 (Karriärföretagen) and Sweden's most attractive employer. The award is presented to employers who offer unique career and development opportunities for students, Young and Senior Professionals.
Employee stories
Women redefining the steel industry
Welcome to our celebration of International Women's Day. Today, we are thrilled to spotlight the extraordinary women who are at the forefront of our company, spearheading a transformation in the steel industry towards a more modern and relevant era.
Customer Case
Plowing into the future
To run a profitable business, farmers need strong, reliable and lightweight plows. Using steel provided by Ovako and other suppliers, the Kverneland Group’s factory in Klepp, Norway, is producing plows that meet farmers’ demanding requirements.
Product Forms
Forged-rolled production delivers major increase in diameter for black bar
Ovako is now able to combine the advantages of forging and rolling processes to produce black bar at outer diameters up to 230 mm. Jimmy Gran, VP and Head of Product Unit Black Bar - Ovako BU Hofors- Hellefors, explains the benefits of the new production flow.
customer case
Tracks for sustainable forestry
Forestry machine operators can charge more for low-impact products, with consumers in Europe and the US willing to pay at least 5% extra. At the same time, stricter environmental laws are pushing the industry to report and improve performance.
sustainability
Circularity and carbon footprint
There are over 100 definitions of circular economy. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation offers one. In 2005, Ellen MacArthur set the fastest solo circumnavigation record. Five years later, she founded the foundation to speed the shift to a circular economy.
sustainability
Safety now and in the future
Safety first is Ovako’s philosophy in all operations. This has strongly improved our Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR), now well below industry average. Injuries with sick leave have fallen 95% over seven years, explains Phetra Ericsson, EVP HR, Communication & EHS.
research and insights
Why we care about fatigue
Designers of critical components seek lighter, stronger materials that can handle complex loads, with high mechanical strength as a key goal. However, most premature failures are caused by metal fatigue. Ovako addresses this by developing clean steels with carefully controlled inclusions to reduce fatigue risk.
Research and insights
Hybrid Steel – combining strength, weldability and corrosion resistance
Traditionally, steels were classified as tool, stainless, engineering, and maraging steels. This changed in 2017 with our Hybrid Steel – a new family with an innovative alloying philosophy, combining the key properties of all categories in one high-performance steel.
steel portfolio
IQ-Steel replacing remelted steel
Industry faces a challenge from growing lead times for remelted steel, says Stefan Czeczor, Dip-ing, Manager Technical Customer Support. Some suppliers quote two-year lead times, with minimum orders of 20 tonnes and no flexibility in quantity or dimensions.
sustainability
Sustainability in transport is not always what it seems
The carbon footprint of a material is just one aspect of a product’s environmental impact. How it is transported also influences the carbon footprint – and the impact can be surprising. Ted Lundström, our Head of Global Logistics, explains why.
SERVICES
Steel Navigator: a tool to find value
Björn Olsson, Group Application Specialist and segment manager for rock tools, explains how the Steel Navigator is a platform that helps customers maximise value and highlights future developments.
About Ovako
Ovako creates a sustainable IT organization
Ovako wants to create a sustainable IT organization for the future by strengthening the team with additional expertise.
Research and Insights
Hydrogen plant ramping up
When our electrolyzer ramps up to full-scale production after the summer break, it will cut CO2 emissions by 20,000 tonnes per year by reducing fossil fuel use. As one of Europe's largest electrolyzers, it has a capacity of 8 tonnes of hydrogen per day and 20 megawatts of power.
Sustainability
Ovako strengthens world leading sustainability position
On January 9, Nicklas Magnusson joined Ovako as Process Development Manager - Climate & Environment. He will now report to Katarina Kangert, Ovako's Head of Sustainability and EHS.
Employee Stories
Sharing competences with our Japanese colleagues
Ovako employees in the Nordic region can get the opportunity to travel to Japan for up to three weeks, or possibly longer for R&D projects.
Industry Solutions
Santa’s sleigh just got a high-tech upgrade!
With custom WR-Steel components, improved safety, and extreme testing, the jolly old man is ready to deliver millions of presents faster and stronger than ever. Discover how Christmas magic meets cutting-edge engineering!
ABOUT OVAKO
Women in steel
As we are celebrating the International Women´s Day worldwide we would like to highlight some of the women in our company who is changing the steel industry to something more modern and relevant.
CUSTOMER CASE
Easy Rider
For Tinsley Bridge Ltd., a leading manufacturer of steel torsion and suspension bars for the automotive industry, its product goals have always been optimum strength and light weight – a challenging combination.
SUSTAINABILITY
Celebrations - Carbon Neutral for over a year
Since the 1st of January 2022 we counterbalance all our Scope 1 and Scope 2 emission and became carbon neutral. We will gradually decrease the offset mechanism as we continue to invest in new technology and improve our processes.
Customer case
Driving world-class performance
In car racing, teams seek lighter, reliable cars. Mats Karlsson, founder of a workshop for racing transmission components, makes parts 40% lighter and twice as durable as standard steel products.
CAREER
Career Company Award 2023
We are very pleased that Ovako has been awarded the Career Company Award 2023 (Karriärföretagen) and Sweden's most attractive employer. The Career Company award is presented to employers who offer unique career and development opportunities for students, Young and Senior Professionals.
EMPLOYEE STORIES
Julia Hermansson
Julia Hermansson has been a controller at Ovako Hällefors since 2017. When the opportunity arose for a job that turned out to be a good fit with where she was in her life and education, she jumped at the chance to apply - a decision she has never regretted!
EMPLOYEE STORIES
Sebastian Smed
Sebastian Smed began at Ovako as a summer temp in 2010, the fourth generation of his family at the Hällefors plant. Today, he works as a rolling mill process operator and serves as a safety and union representative for IF Metall.
Exhibitions and digital events
When is the best time for a coffee?
Attending trade shows reminds Ovako of the value of face-to-face meetings. We joined Alihankinta in Tampere, MSV in Brno, and Wire in Düsseldorf, and are now planning for Elmia Subcontractor in Sweden, 15–17 November.
Employee stories
Keeping customers on course with new sales unit for Nordics and Baltics
We’ve merged our sales units in Scandinavia, Finland, and the Baltics into a new team serving Nordic and Baltic customers. Around 15 work in direct sales, plus 40 at Ovako Metals in Tampere, providing stock services for steel, stainless steel, copper, and brass.
PRODUCT FORMS
Specialist steel supplier cutting costs with SP-Bar
French manufacturer BSA Groupe increased efficiency by switching to Ovako’s SP-Bar for peeled bar. BSA supplies steel and other alloys to automotive, pharmaceutical, construction, aerospace, nuclear, and defense industries.
STEEL PORTFOLIO
How the M-Steel process enhances machinability
Machinability of steel can have a big impact on the bottom line. By optimizing machine operations, a manufacturer can extend tool life, increase output and minimize waste.
RESEARCH & INSIGHTS
Grinding away the mythology of recycled steel
Thomas Björk, PhD, Group Technical Specialist, Ovako Sweden AB, outlines a recent research program that shows both recycled steel and ore-based steel are equally good as raw materials for automotive crankshafts.
STEEL PORTFOLIO
Hybrid Steel benefits at a glance
In the high-stress and elevated temperature applications found in mechanical power transmission systems and engines, the choice of material for critical components makes a huge difference to performance, reliability and lifetime.
Customer case
Hultafors produces superior wrecking bars with Ovako boron steel
Wrecking bars are essential for prying and nail removal. Poor-quality bars can snap under pressure, risking workers. Hultafors, the Swedish hand tool maker, uses high-strength Ovako boron steel, making thin-clawed bars both strong and safe.
RESEARCH AND INSIGHTS
Vacuum Tank Degassing facility
Aristotle said nature abhors a vacuum, but customers love the effect of vacuum treatment at Ovako’s Smedjebacken mill. A €11M Vacuum Tank Degassing facility, operational since summer 2020, completes our ability to supply high-performance, reliable steel for demanding applications.
SERVICES
Digital audit process helping to keep steel production on track
During the pandemic, we maintained our mills’ annual quality certifications digitally. To keep supplying customers, we replaced in-person audits with web conferencing and video calls, ensuring certification standards were met despite travel restrictions.
RESEARCH AND INSIGHTS
How to specify the right type of wear resistant steel
In mining, construction, and agriculture, wear is inevitable. Using wear-resistant WR-Steel and smart design, engineers can extend machine life, reduce repair costs, and minimize downtime, helping operators get more from their equipment in tough conditions.
INDUSTRY SOLUTIONS
A quick guide to mechanical wear and tear
Abrasive wear shortens the life of equipment in agriculture, construction, mining and other industries. When a machine experiences excessive wear, it has to come out of service and go for repair or be replaced completely.
SERVICES
Material Data Sheets – find the best steel grade for your application online
Our Material Data Sheets module is an important extension to Ovako’s digital Steel Navigator. With just a few clicks of a mouse it enables you to search a database of hundreds of steel grades to compare and select the best steel for your specific application.
SERVICES
Ovako’s Piston Rod Predictor can ensure your design never buckles under pressure
We developed the Piston Rod Predictor, an online tool to compare steel grades’ resistance to buckling in piston rods. Buckling is the main design concern for hydraulic cylinders, especially in single-action, push-only applications.
RESEARCH AND INSIGHTS
First in the world to heat steel using hydrogen
Together with Linde Gas AB, Ovako completed the world’s first full-scale trial using hydrogen to heat steel before rolling. Hydrogen combustion is environmentally friendly, producing only water vapor as emissions.
STEEL PORTFOLIO
When the going gets hot – Hybrid Steel® gets going
Ovako has developed Hybrid Steel to merge the unique properties of tool steel, maraging steel and stainless steel into one high-performance steel grade that also offers the production economy of conventional engineering steels.
STEEL PORTFOLIO
R&D is the strength behind Hybrid Steel® – meet Steve Ooi
Steve Ooi is an Ovako Group R&D technical specialist based in England, at the University of Cambridge’s prestigious Maxwell Centre. We asked him to tell us about his background and to answer some questions about the particular benefits of Hybrid Steel.
STEEL PORTFOLIO
Hybrid Steel® – a step-change in steel metallurgy
Jan-Erik Andersson, Senior Group Technical Specialist, Ovako R&D answers our questions about the new Hybrid Steel family.
SUSTAINABILITY
Products that prove their environmental credentials
Sustainably-sourced steel can help OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturer) deliver climate-smart products and reduce their overall carbon footprint – and in turn attract environmentally conscious customers and respond to tightening legislation.
RESEARCH AND INSIGHTS
Making steel strong – the inside story
To make our steel strong, Ovako takes precise control of three key factors: 1. How the steel is cooled from its molten state 2. Its microstructure – the very small scale structure seen under a microscope 3. Its chemical composition – both the carbon content and other alloying elements
