In March 2007, Outokumpu entered a new stage in its coil products offering: with the completion of bell furnaces, Outokumpu launched the production of ferritic grades at its Tornio Works in Finland. Bell furnaces are used to anneal ferritic steels after the hot rolling process.

The move by Outokumpu into ferritics follows a market shift away from austenitic grades, wherever replacement is possible, in the wake of sharp increases in the price of nickel. Ferritic grades represent one-quarter of all stainless steel use in the world, and the share is growing. With its new ferritic coil products, Outokumpu now puts its leading metallurgical and production skills to serve large and increasingly competitive market segments including interior decoration and transportation, helping customers in these segments to stay competitive while taking advantage of the benefits of quality stainless steel.

Over the next few months, Outokumpu will be stepping up production of two grades: Outokumpu 4016 (EN 1.4016, ASTM 430), with 17% chromium, is used in household

appliances, furnishings and indoor cladding. Outokumpu will supply this grade in 2B surface finish, dry brushed or polished. Outokumpu 4003 (EN 1.4003, ASTM S40977), with 12% chromium, is widely used in the frames, bars and beams of buses.

The Outokumpu ferritic coil products will come in widths up to 1500 mm and in thicknesses from 0.4 to 6.0 mm depending on the grade.

Outokumpu has launched an investment project to replace the existing annealing and pickling line at Tornio Works, to be completed by the end of 2008. The new line will enable production of a brighter ferritic surface finish than 2B.

For the full range of Outokumpu’s products, visit our on-line Product Tool, available in seven languages.

For more information and assistance, please contact your nearest sales representative.

Outokumpu started production of ferritic stainless steels when bell furnaces were completed at Tornio Works.