In recent years, a clear trend has emerged in the construction sector: contractors, especially in the larger cities and on the Eastern part of Norway, are increasingly requesting fossil-free transport of reinforcing steel to their building sites.
This development is not only about meeting customer expectations, but also about adapting to new environmental requirements in urban areas such as Oslo, Trondheim, Bergen, Ålesund and Kristiansand.

Meeting New Demands
At 7 Steel Service Norway, we see this trend clearly in our daily operations. The majority of our projects are now concentrated in Eastern Norway, where contractors require fossil-free transport because of the sensitive urban environments where they operate.
As COO– and previously Plant Manager – Runar Gundersen has the overall responsibility for ensuring that these deliveries are carried out in line with new standards. This requires close dialogue with our transport partners, who are stepping up and investing in more fossil-free trucks. Demand is high, and the pressure on the limited number of vehicles available is growing.

A Combination of Solutions
Today, fossil-free transport is a combination of different solutions: electric trucks, gas-powered vehicles, and biodiesel. Each has its own advantages and limitations.
• Electric trucks are promising but still face challenges in terms of charging capacity.
• Gas offers a viable alternative in terms of range and reliability.
• Biodiesel is already in use, both in our external transport and internally for heating at our plant.
At our Oslo operations, about half of our forklifts have already been switched to electric and going forward we will only invest in fossil-free alternatives.

A Shared Responsibility
It is important to recognize that fossil-free transport is not just a company initiative – it is in society’s interest. Cleaner transport reduces emissions, noise, and improves working environments in densely populated areas.
But transitioning to a fully fossil-free fleet requires significant investment. For transport companies, purchasing electric trucks represents a major cost. This is why collaboration with public authorities will be essential if the transition is to succeed on a large scale.

Digitalization and Efficiency
Alongside new transport solutions, we are also working on digital tools to make logistics more efficient. Digital waybills and scanning systems are already being rolled out, with the first installation in Drammen and plans to expand to all our plants in Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark.
By optimizing production and delivery processes, we will be able to reduce unnecessary transport and ensure that materials arrive on site fully prepared – saving both time and resources.

Looking Ahead
– The pace of change in the market is striking. When I started in this industry, electric vehicles were barely on the horizon. Today, development is moving at an explosive rate, and it is only a matter of time before fossil fuels are phased out entirely.
At 7 Steel, our strategy and budgets are aligned with this transition. Together with our partners and customers, we are determined to contribute to a more sustainable construction sector – one delivery at a time.