Products and materials with a low climate footprint - that are both reliable and energy efficient – are essential to a net zero future. The zinc coating on ABB's Kabeldon cable distribution cabinets is sourced from Boliden and has a carbon footprint that is 75 percent below the global average. ABB’s cabinet can also be found in the electrical infrastructure of the mines where Boliden extracts the ore.
“With Low-Carbon Zinc, we help our customers and our customers' customers reduce their carbon footprint. And we close the circle by using ABB's cable distribution cabinets with Low-Carbon Zinc in the mine where the ore for them is mined," says Daniel Asplund, Manager Zinc Sales, Boliden.
”We are committed to reducing the environmental impact of our products and sourcing more sustainable materials is an important part of this. Boliden’s Low-Carbon Zinc is an excellent example of how we can make more sustainable choices without compromising the longevity or quality of our cabinets,” says Philip Wallman, Kabeldon Product Manager at ABB.
Cable distribution cabinets secure the power grid
ABB's galvanized cable distribution cabinets are a familiar sight in neighborhoods around Scandinavia, playing a crucial role in the functioning of electricity grids. The cable distribution cabinets are designed and manufactured in ABB's factory in Alingsås, Sweden.
“The teams at ABB Alingsås are experts in developing safe, simple solutions for a wide range of applications. Our product portfolio has origins dating back over a century – and continues to evolve. As we introduce innovations that enhance sustainability, providing personal and operational safety remains our top priority,” says Wallman.
To achieve low operating costs and high delivery reliability, a distribution system must be safe, simple and reliable. ABB's cable distribution cabinets are designed for flexibility and, with a modular IP-protected system, the cabinets are easy to supplement with new technology.
Hot-dip galvanizing extends working life
Cable distribution cabinets are often used in harsh outdoor environments. To ensure the steel cabinets can endure the elements for decades, hot-dip galvanizing is essential: the process applies a zinc layer that protects against corrosion. ABB Alingsås uses Boliden’s Low-Carbon Zinc for the hot-dip galvanizing of all its cable distribution cabinets.
“Hot-dip galvanizing is a process that requires careful regulation. By ABB owning the entire value chain, we ensure the quality of this process and select our preferred material suppliers. Utilizing Boliden’s low-carbon zinc, which has a lower climate impact, is a crucial step in reducing the overall environmental footprint of our cable distribution cabinets,” says Wallman.
”We are committed to reducing the environmental impact of our products - sourcing more sustainable materials is an important part of this,” says Philip Wallman, Kabeldon Product Manager at ABB. 
By delivering more sustainable electricity infrastructure to the mines, ABB is supporting Boliden’s vision to be the world’s most climate-friendly metal supplier 
With Boliden's Low-Carbon Zinc, ABB is reducing the carbon footprint of its cable distribution cabinets 
With Boliden's Low-Carbon Zinc, ABB is reducing the carbon footprint of its cable distribution cabinets
Low-Carbon Zinc reduces emissions
ABB is far from alone in using zinc for galvanizing. Although the metal is found in everything from batteries to pharmaceuticals, half of global zinc use goes to galvanizing steel. Zinc is an important resource in the construction of sustainable infrastructure.
As zinc production is highly energy intensive, Boliden's Low-Carbon Zinc was an important step for sustainability when it was first introduced in 2022. The metal is extracted in Boliden's own mines and refined at the company's smelters using fossil-free electricity. The zinc has one of the lowest carbon footprints in the world.
“Low-Carbon Zinc is crucial for climate change. Our emissions footprint is very low: thanks to the fact that we have electrified our mines and that our smelters use renewable energy, the value chain for Low-Carbon Zinc has a total carbon dioxide emission of a maximum of 1 kilogram per kilogram of metal produced. The industry average is around 3.6 kg,” says Daniel Asplund, Manager Zinc Sales, Boliden.
"Low-Carbon Zinc is crucial for climate change. We have electrified our mines and our smelters use renewable energy... the value chain for Low-Carbon Zinc has CO2 of <1 kilogram per kilogram of metal produced. The industry average is around 3.6 kg,” says Daniel Asplund, Manager Zinc Sales, Boliden. 
Boliden's Low-Carbon Zinc was an important step for sustainability when it was first introduced in 2022. The metal is extracted in Boliden's own mines and refined at the company's smelters using fossil-free electricity 
Boliden's Low-Carbon Zinc was an important step for sustainability when it was first introduced in 2022. The metal is extracted in Boliden's own mines and refined at the company's smelters using fossil-free electricity 
Boliden's Low-Carbon Zinc was an important step for sustainability when it was first introduced in 2022. The metal is extracted in Boliden's own mines and refined at the company's smelters using fossil-free electricity
An electrified mine is built
Right now, Boliden is building a new electrified mine in Rävliden, Sweden. It will help balance the need for increased production of critical minerals and metals, with lower carbon dioxide emissions and energy consumption. In Rävliden, zinc and copper, but also lead, gold and silver, will be mined, with ABB's cable distribution cabinet as an important part of the mine's infrastructure.
“The development of electrification and autonomous vehicles in mines is very positive. It creates a better working environment and increases the safety of people in the mine. Part of achieving this, is making the low-voltage grid stronger and more flexible. That's why I like ABB’s cable distribution cabinets,” says Boliden Electricity & Automation Sub-Project Manager Ola Nordberg, responsible for expansion of Rävliden’s electricity infrastructure.
Efficient mining with flexible cable distribution cabinets
ABB's cable distribution cabinets are located at strategic nodes in the Rävliden mine. 400 volt cabinets are used for lighting, ventilation, pumps and vehicle charging and 1000 volt cabinets for mining machinery. The cable distribution cabinets are mounted on movable stands or fixed to the rock wall, and as the mine grows, the cabinets and cabling are moved along. Flexibility and compatibility are extremely important.
“A mine’s electrical infrastructure is constantly changing. Nothing is static for any length of time, and the fact that the cabinets are so flexible is a big advantage for us. Thanks to the fact that we can use the same cabinet type for 1000 and 400V and to move components between the cabinets, we save a lot of money. The standardization also means that we need to buy and stock fewer products, which reduces the climate impact from new production,” says Nordberg.
"A mine’s electrical infrastructure is constantly changing. Nothing is static for any length of time," says Boliden Electricity & Automation Sub-Project Manager Ola Nordberg 
ABB's cable distribution cabinets are located at strategic nodes in the Rävliden mine. 400 volt cabinets are used for lighting, ventilation, pumps and vehicle charging and 1000 volt cabinets for mining machinery 
ABB's cable distribution cabinets are located at strategic nodes in the Rävliden mine. 400 volt cabinets are used for lighting, ventilation, pumps and vehicle charging and 1000 volt cabinets for mining machinery 
ABB's cable distribution cabinets are located at strategic nodes in the Rävliden mine. 400 volt cabinets are used for lighting, ventilation, pumps and vehicle charging and 1000 volt cabinets for mining machinery
