World leaders in iron and steel
Sweden’s iron and steel companies are highly specialised and often hold a leading position within their respective product areas.
Inspection of tubes by an operator at Alleima's Tube Mill 2012 in Sandviken, Seamless stainless steel tubes are advantageously used when high safety and performance are required, for example in the chemical industry. Photo: Alleima.
The Swedish iron and steel industry – like the steel industry in the rest of the world – has undergone a process of major restructuring since the mid-20th century. This has led to a specialisation on fewer products.
The companies today are acknowledged specialists within specific areas where they manufacture highly processed steel grades and products which are mainly sold in export markets. This has led to the companies, to a very large degree, no longer competing with one another nationally.
Leading steel producers
Stainless steel:
Alleima (formerly Sandvik Materials Technology) – largest in seamless tubes
Outokumpu Stainless – leader in stainless plate and high-alloy special steels
Fagersta Stainless – one of the leading specialists in wire rod in Europe
Carpenter Powder Products – largest in powder steel
Tool steel:
Uddeholm – largest
High-speed steel:
Erasteel Kloster – largest
Bearing steel:
Ovako – largest
Commercial steel:
SSAB – a leader in extra high-strength steel and largest in hardened steel
Iron alloys for electrical resistance heating:
Kanthal – largest
Iron powder
Höganäs – largest
Valve spring quality wire:
Suzuki Garphyttan – largest
Number of Swedish steel companies with production of certain products
