With companies large and small seeking to reduce their carbon footprints, most of the attention has so far focussed on direct carbon emissions.

However, the global push to reduce emissions also has to look at indirect carbon emissions and this week we bring news of a move to use fossil-free steel to manufacture materials handling equipment.

French materials handling manufacturer Manitou will begin using fossil-free steel made by Swedish company SSAB within the next two years.

Other early adopters of this product include Cargotec’s Hiab and Volvo Group.

Other news this week includes autonomous forklifts being rolled out in the United States and new models of materials handling equipment.