VIDEO: Railcars manufactured with recycled steel create a continuous recycling loop

The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. has completed building 50 gondola railcars as part of a new circular economy collaboration with SSAB Americas and Alter Trading Corporation. The effort demonstrates how lower-emissions steel, innovative railcar design, and closed-loop recycling can work together to reduce environmental impact while supporting industrial supply chains. 

How three companies are closing the loop on steel 

The railcars were manufactured using SSAB Zero steel, produced from recycled steel using fossil-free electricity and designed to achieve near-zero fossil carbon emissions. Greenbrier incorporated the material into railcars engineered for decades of service, underscoring the company's commitment to durability, performance, and responsible resource stewardship.

In addition to using SSAB Zero, Greenbrier incorporated high-strength steel to reduce overall car weight while maintaining structural integrity and enhancing durability. The lighter-weight design increases payload capacity, improves transportation efficiency, and helps reduce lifecycle emissions.

The railcars will be delivered to Alter, where they will begin service transporting recycled metals, including end-of-life steel, to SSAB's steelmaking facility in Iowa. There, the material will be melted and transformed into new steel products, creating a continuous recycling loop that keeps valuable materials in use and reduces reliance on virgin raw materials.

"This collaboration demonstrates the power of innovation across the supply chain," said Brian Comstock, Greenbrier executive vice president and president, The Americas. "By working closely with customers and suppliers, we're advancing practical solutions that strengthen industrial sustainability while delivering the performance, reliability, and long-term value our customers expect."

The initiative demonstrates Greenbrier's commitment to:

• Responsible sourcing by integrating lower-emissions materials like SSAB Zero steel into railcar manufacturing, where they create value for customers and stakeholders;
• Circular economy principles that maximize material reuse and support sustainable industrial processes;
• Product innovation through advanced material applications that enhance performance, efficiency, and environmental outcomes.

"These railcars represent more than a transportation solution — they are part of a circular system that connects steel production, recycling, and manufacturing," Comstock added.

"Together with SSAB and Alter, we're demonstrating how collaboration can create measurable benefits across the value chain."