Greenbrier, SSAB and Alter Trading Form Closed-Loop Steel Recycling Partnership

## Greenbrier, SSAB and Alter Trading Form Closed-Loop Steel Recycling Partnership The Greenbrier Companies (NYSE: GBX), Swedish steelmaker SSAB, and scrap metal dealer Alter Trading have announced a collaborative initiative designed to close the loop on steel recycling, creating a self-sustaining cycle that supports lower-emissions steel manufacturing. According to a PR Newswire release dated August 20, 2026, the partnership sees Greenbrier manufacturing railcars using SSAB Zero™ steel — a near-zero emissions steel product — which are then deployed by Alter Trading to transport recycled scrap metals back to SSAB's production facilities. The arrangement effectively creates a circular supply chain in which the end product facilitates the recovery of the raw materials used to produce it. SSAB Zero™ steel is produced using fossil-free processes, and its integration into Greenbrier's railcar fleet underscores a growing trend among heavy industry manufacturers to embed sustainability credentials directly into their supply chains rather than treating emissions reduction as a downstream consideration. ### Significance for Freight and Bulk Transport While the partnership is centred on rail freight, it carries broader relevance for the maritime and intermodal freight sectors. Scrap metal is one of the most significant bulk commodities moved through North American ports, and initiatives that streamline its collection, transport, and reprocessing have direct implications for port throughput, vessel loading patterns, and the competitiveness of domestically produced recycled steel against imported alternatives. Alter Trading, one of North America's largest scrap metal recyclers, operates a network that interfaces closely with port facilities along major waterways, meaning efficiencies gained in rail transport of scrap can translate into more predictable vessel scheduling and cargo volumes at export terminals. ### Broader Industry Context The announcement reflects accelerating momentum behind circular economy models in heavy manufacturing. Steelmakers globally are under increasing pressure from regulators and investors to reduce Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, and partnerships that guarantee a feedstock of recycled material — transported using the very products made from that material — offer a compelling narrative for sustainability reporting. For the maritime freight industry, the development is a reminder that decarbonisation efforts upstream in supply chains can reshape cargo flows, commodity volumes, and port infrastructure requirements over the medium term. *Source: PR Newswire / The Greenbrier Companies*