Global load and haul attachment manufacturer Schlam Payload has released what it describes as the world’s first mining truck beds made from green steel, targeting lower embedded carbon emissions while maintaining productivity in large-scale open-pit operations.

Known as Xeroline, the truck beds incorporate 100 per cent carbon-free steel from the SSAB Zero range and are available across all Hercules models, from 100t to 400t payloads, including the Hercules, Hercules EXO and Hercules ULTRA variants.

Schlam chair and chief executive officer David Haslett said the move was a natural extension of the company’s focus on lower-emissions solutions.

“We are prioritising innovation that helps reduce the impact of our operations and our products on the planet,” Haslett said.

“Working in collaboration with customers, we have already pioneered the development of truck beds for autonomous, hydrogen-powered and electric haulage trucks.

“The introduction of green steel in Hercules Xeroline is an important next step that contributes directly to both our decarbonisation targets and our customers.”

Schlam said that while fossil-free and recycled steel has previously been used in underground and smaller quarry applications, Xeroline marks its first deployment in open-pit truck beds of 100t payload and above.

According to the company, Xeroline models retain the lightweight and long-life benefits of the standard Hercules design, which can increase payload capacity by up to 10 per cent and improve fuel efficiency, reducing emissions per tonne of ore moved.

A typical Hercules truck bed weighs around 25t. Schlam said a conventional bed represents approximately 100t of CO₂ across Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, while the use of green steel reduces this by 66 per cent to an average of 35t CO₂ per bed.

Global product manager – truck beds Tom Smith said the final product is identical in performance to traditional models.

“Hercules Xeroline truck beds have the same strength, durability and reliability,” Smith said. “What is different is the level of embedded carbon emissions given steel is the primary raw material used,” Smith said.

“Carbon emissions inputs are factored into models that inform investment decisions and can influence the value proposition for new assets,” he said. “It’s particularly relevant for customers that are subject to carbon tax regimes across multiple global jurisdictions.”

This group – those subject to carbon tax regimes – is getting larger with every year that passes.

The first Xeroline units have been contracted by Tier 1 Australian miners and manufactured at Schlam’s Forrestfield facility in Western Australia. Two units have operated in Pilbara conditions for 12 months, with the company reporting no discernible performance difference compared with standard beds.

“Feedback from our client is that if the beds weren’t painted a different colour then they would not be able to tell the difference between the traditional Hercules and a Xeroline. They have certainly met expectations to be as robust and efficient as all the Hercules in their fleet,” Smith said.

Schlam said additional contracts are in place as miners seek to reduce emissions in line with net zero targets. The company has committed to achieving net zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2040 and said developing a market for green steel products would be critical to reducing emissions from steelmaking, which accounts for around eight per cent of global energy-related greenhouse gas emissions.

Subscribe to Australian Mining and receive the latest news on product announcements, industry developments, commodities and more.