TMH Europe's use of recycled steel has reduced its carbon footprintToyota Material Handling Europe (TMH Europe) has reduced the carbon footprint of its LHM230 hand pallet truck by 18%, with the forks and frames now made from SSAB Zero recycled steel.
TMH Europe has a fossil-free partnership with Swedish steel maker SSAB to procure SSAB Zero steel, which is made from recycled steel and fossil-free energy, and is the first commercial steel of its kind, available in a number of grades and dimensions.
The reduction in carbon footprint resulting from the recycled steel is a key milestone toward the company’s ambition of net zero emissions across its entire value chain by fiscal year 2041.
TMH Europe states forklifts and pallet trucks keep warehouses and logistics running around the clock with steel is at the heart of those products. However, conventional steelmaking is a major source of CO2 emissions.
"This is the reason why collaborating with SSAB is so important,” explains Camilla Åkerman, program manager fossil-free products, TMH Europe. “Combining their knowledge in lower-carbon steels with our target to reduce emissions all through the value chain.”
The collaboration between TMH Europe and SSAB started in 2025 when the fossil-free collaboration was first announced for the LHM230 pallet truck.
SSAB Zero steel is now used by TMH Europe to also make the forks of three Toyota BT Levio powered pallet trucks – the LWE130, LWE140 and LWE160.
“By using SSAB Zero™, we cut the emissions in the forks and frames in our hand pallet trucks by up to 75%, which accounts for 18% decarbonisation for the entire product, cradle-to-gate," explains Per Fyrenius, senior vice president corporate development, TMH Europe.
TMH Europe produces around 70,000 hand pallet trucks and 15,000 powered pallet trucks annually.
“With SSAB Zero, we are now achieving real, measurable carbon savings,” Åkerman continues. “We’re proud to be the first material handling manufacturer to use SSAB Zero decarbonised steel in serial production.”
TMH Europe says it is now investigating further ways to integrate low-CO2 materials across its product portfolio.