Swiss Steel Group and Canada Nickel Company have announced plans to establish a long-term strategic low carbon steel partnership to supply semi-finished steel products from Canada, with potential deliveries of approximately one million tonnes annually from 2030.
The companies signed an agreement on 23rd October 2026 outlining the framework for the proposed cooperation. The arrangement would combine Canada’s mineral resources and energy advantages with Swiss Steel Group’s specialty steel manufacturing capabilities and established European customer network.
The proposed partnership is intended to provide Swiss Steel Group with exclusive access to low-carbon steel billets and blooms for further processing into specialty steel products. An initial supply concept has been developed and technically validated for facilities in the United States, Canada, Germany, Switzerland and France.
Proposed Steel Supply to Support Specialty Manufacturing
Under the proposed arrangement, Swiss Steel Group would use the semi-finished steel products as feedstock for its specialty steel operations. The planned supply of approximately one million tonnes annually from 2030 is intended to provide the company with access to lower-carbon raw materials while allowing it to adjust its own industrial footprint.
Frank Koch, CEO of Swiss Steel Group, said “This intended partnership supports an important element of our strategy: focusing our own industrial footprint while securing flexible access to competitive, low-carbon pre-material.”
“It would strengthen our ability to serve our customers with high-quality specialty steels while increasing flexibility across our production network. Together with Canada Nickel Company, we will now work towards translating this concept into a commercially and technically viable long-term partnership,” he added.
Canada Nickel Advances Low Carbon Steel Production Plans
Canada Nickel is developing its Crawford Nickel project in Ontario. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, NetZero Metals, the company intends to process concentrates from the mine into finished nickel products and use nickel-chromium magnetite concentrate to produce low-carbon, potentially net-zero-carbon, semi-finished stainless and specialty steel products.
“This partnership demonstrates how we can translate our shared economic and industrial priorities into tangible commercial opportunities. Canada’s mineral resources and competitive, low-carbon energy advantages, combined with Swiss Steel’s manufacturing expertise and European market access, create an opportunity to build secure, low-carbon supply chains that benefit both economies. We look forward to working together to unlock European critical minerals funding support for the project as we advance Crawford towards a construction decision in 2027,” said Mark Selby, CEO, Canada Nickel Company.
“Northern Ontario continues to demonstrate its strength in responsibly produced critical minerals and low-carbon industrial development. The proposed partnership between Canada Nickel and Swiss Steel highlights the global demand for Ontario’s resources, expertise, and competitive advantages. Initiatives like this reinforce Northern Ontario’s role in building secure supply chains, driving long-term economic growth, and strengthening Canada’s position in global markets,” said George Pirie, Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth.
Circular Economy and Specialty Steel Manufacturing
Headquartered in Lucerne, Switzerland, Swiss Steel Group manufactures specialty long steel products, including high-quality structural steel, stainless steel and tool steel. The company says its use of steel scrap in electric arc furnaces supports its circular-economy activities and the production of lower-carbon steel.
Swiss Steel Group operates production and sales companies in 25 countries and employs approximately 7,000 people.
The proposed low carbon steel partnership remains an intention to establish a long-term commercial arrangement. The companies will need to advance the technical and commercial work before the planned supply relationship can be implemented.