Greenbrier Companies said on Thursday it has completed the first 50 gondola railcars manufactured using low-emission SSAB Zero steel, a collaboration with SSAB Americas and Alter Trading Corporation.
The railcars, part of Greenbrier’s lease fleet of approximately 20,600 units, were delivered to Alter Trading for transporting recycled metals to SSAB’s steelmaking facility in Iowa. The high-strength steel used in the railcars reduces vehicle weight without compromising structural integrity, improving payload capacity and transportation efficiency.
SSAB Zero is produced from recycled steel using fossil-free electricity, supporting a circular economy model where end-of-life steel is reprocessed into new products. Alter Trading operates 78 metal recycling facilities and five trading offices across 11 U.S. states, providing the scrap metal supply for the loop.
Brian Comstock, Greenbrier Executive Vice President and President of the Americas, said the initiative demonstrates how supply chain collaboration can advance sustainability while maintaining operational performance. “This collaboration demonstrates the power of innovation across the supply chain,” he said. “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 railcars are expected to enter service in the coming months as part of Alter Trading’s logistics network for metal recycling.
