our purpose
Driving Industrial Evolution
Outokumpu's vision is to pioneer materials and technologies that power tomorrow. As the global leader in sustainable stainless steel, we accelerate decarbonization at scale. Stainless steel plays a crucial role in advancing low-emission energy, resilient economies and technological innovation. Our ambition reaches beyond stainless steel, as we continuously explore new materials and technologies shaping the future.
At Climate Week NYC and COP31, we demonstrate how heavy industry can be a catalyst for change, driven by new technologies and materials. We advocate for keeping the course in ambitious climate policy and emphasize the importance of pricing carbon globally while incentivizing lead markets for sustainable materials.
Where to meet us in 2026
COP31: United Nations Climate Change Conference 2026
November 9–20, 2026, Antalya, Türkiye
COP31 is the UN Climate Change Conference, the world’s most important annual forum for climate policy. It brings together governments, business and civil society, and serves as the primary platform for negotiating and advancing collective action to combat climate change. This year’s Action Agenda covers ten priority themes, including climate-resilient cities and buildings, and green industrialization.
At COP31, we demonstrate how heavy industry can be a catalyst for change, driven by new technologies and materials. We advocate for keeping the course in ambitious climate policy and emphasize the importance of pricing carbon globally while incentivizing lead markets for sustainable materials.
Outokumpu joins the Finland Pavilion, bringing the perspective of a heavy industry already decarbonizing at scale.
Meet us at COP31
| Date | Speaker | Session | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tue 10th Nov |
Heidi Peltonen
|
14:00 – 15:00 | Finland Pavilion Opening Ceremony Join the opening of the Finland Pavilion at COP31, marking the start of the Pavilion’s programme in Antalya. |
Finland Pavilion, COP31 Blue Zone |
| Wed 11th Nov |
Heidi Peltonen
|
11:00 – 12:00 | Europe at a Crossroads Hosted by AFRY, the session explores Europe’s progress in reducing its reliance on fossil fuels while strengthening competitiveness and energy security, followed by a discussion on the actions needed to turn climate ambition into action. |
COP31 Blue Zone |
| Thu 12th Nov |
Heidi Peltonen
|
9:00 – 9:55 | Making Near-Zero Steel the Market Choice Convened by SSAB and Climate Leadership Coalition (CLC), this invitation-only roundtable brings together steel producers and major steel users to explore how stronger demand, value-chain collaboration and enabling market conditions can help near-zero-emission steel reach broader adoption. |
COP31 Blue Zone |
| Thu 12th Nov |
Anouk de Graaf
|
9:30 – 11:00 | 14th Annual High-Level Meeting of Caring for Climate A high-level Caring for Climate meeting at COP31 bringing together business leaders and other stakeholders around corporate climate action. |
COP31 Blue Zone |
| Thu 12th Nov |
Anouk de Graaf
|
11:00 – 12:00 | Making the Green Transition Work for Children Convened by UNICEF and partners, this session explores how the green transition can deliver benefits for children, young people and communities alongside climate progress and long-term business value. |
Finland Pavilion, COP31 Blue Zone |
| Thu 12th Nov |
Heidi Peltonen
|
17:00 – 19:00 | Materials & Mingling: Decarbonization of Built Environments Hosted by Outokumpu, this fireside discussion brings industrial first movers and customers together to explore how lower-emission and circular materials can support a competitive industrial transition. The discussion will examine barriers to wider adoption, value-chain choices and practical solutions, followed by networking. |
Finland Pavilion, COP31 Blue Zone |
| Fri 13th Nov |
Heidi Peltonen
|
10:00 – 10:45 | Carbon Pricing as a Catalyst for Industrial Transition
Co-hosted by Outokumpu and Climate Leadership Coalition (CLC), this high-level discussion explores how carbon pricing, carbon-leakage protection and stronger demand for lower-emission products can help make industrial decarbonisation investable, competitive and scalable. |
Finland Pavilion, COP31 Blue Zone |
| Fri 13th Nov |
Heidi Peltonen
|
12:00 – 12:45 | Turning Transition Plans into Investable Projects An editorially led Financial Times discussion examining how companies, investors and governments can turn decarbonisation plans into commercially viable, investable projects, from capital allocation and financing to carbon pricing, procurement and regulation. |
COP31 Blue Zone |
Meet our speakers
Kati ter Horst
Focus Areas: Metals and materials technology and innovation, future-readiness in industrial companies, industrial sovereignty and resilience.
Anouk de Graaf
Anouk de Graaf connects people, sustainability and business transformation as part of Outokumpu's leadership team. Drawing on experience in strategic HR and change management, she focuses on building the leadership, capabilities and culture needed to drive a future-fit, sustainable organisation.
Focus Areas: People and leadership in industrial transformation, future-fit capabilities and culture, just transition, stakeholder engagement, sustainable business transformation.
Heidi Peltonen
As the sustainability leader of Outokumpu, Heidi Peltonen drives industrial decarbonization and circularity – while advocating for ambitious climate regulation together with the whole value chain.
Focus Areas: Industrial decarbonization, green steel, circular economy, climate investment, climate regulation, sustainable value chains.