Competitive advantage from our own low-carbon ferrochrome
Our clean and sustainable ferrochrome is a competitive advantage for us. As chrome is what makes steel stainless, we have traditionally used our ferrochrome mostly by ourselves. We are now repositioning from an internal ferrochrome supplier to an unrestricted market player, planning to expand into other chromium materials, such as enriched ferrochrome and high-purity chromium metal.
The proximity of the ferrochrome works to our stainless steel production facility in Tornio allows the ferrochrome to be transferred in liquid form, resulting in considerable cost savings in both energy and logistics.
Chrome is coming from our own chrome mine in Finland, the only chrome mine in the EU. It is a benchmark for sustainable mining practices. Currently, Outokumpu’s ferrochrome delivers a verified 67% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to the industry average.*
*Verified in the sustainability reporting assurance process by an independent assurer.
Carbon neutrality target at the Kemi mine
Moreover, we are making Kemi the world’s first carbon-neutral mine by the end of 2025, further strengthening its sustainability credentials. The main factors to reach carbon neutrality at the Kemi mine are the utilization of carbon free electricity, using biofuels in transportation and machinery as well as replacing natural gas and propane gas with biogas in heating. Mining machinery electrification will also be extended to reduce the need for fuels.
The carbon neutrality objective remains firmly in place, and the goal is now close to being achieved. The target is still that the mine will become the world’s first carbon-neutral mine, although progress has been delayed by the increase in the mining tax.
Current reserves sufficient until 2050
With current mineral reserves sufficient to support operations until 2050, this will ensure a continuous supply of low-carbon chrome for decades to come. The mineral resources in the new depth are more than 90 million tonnes, and seismic measurements indicate that mineralization continues even further downwards.
Our ferrochrome production will account for approximately 5% of global capacity, and by production costs we are among the top 10 ferrochrome smelters. The company’s ferrochrome production facilities, located in close proximity to the mine in nearby Tornio, Finland, enable efficient logistics and operational resilience.
Business area Ferrochrome in 2025
462
millon euros of sales, 4% of the Group external sales
454
employees in the business area
395,000
tonnes of ferrochrome deliveries