Outokumpu receives two awards for best technology and development from the International Stainless Steel Forum (ISSF)

Outokumpu receives two awards for best technology and development from the International Stainless Steel Forum (ISSF)

Outokumpu has received two silver-level awards in the categories of Best Technology and Best Development from the International Stainless Steel Forum (ISSF). The awards are given annually by the ISSF for good practices and novel ideas in the stainless steel industry.

Best Technology Award aims to recognize original concepts that make significant contributions in either the production methods for stainless steels or for the application of stainless steels in service. Best Development Award is given to projects with highly original concepts that promote bespoke stainless grades, have a significant global market potential and offer strong environmental improvements.

Silver Award for Best Technology: STILRIDE electric scooter – releasing the full potential of flat sheet steel

The STILRIDE electric scooter made from Outokumpu’s flat stainless steel sheets takes advantage of the ancient origami technique – folding paper to a 3D object –  to open up for complex designs by simply folding sheet into amazing 3D structures. Through the use of industrial origami, there is potential to reduce the number of parts needed for a product, reduce the need for joining of parts as well as to create a sustainable product based on stainless steel with unique shapes and forms.

Researchers at Outokumpu first developed the folding technique in 2000. STILRIDE has carried out further development covering the entire value chain from digital design tools to production, ultimately developing a new process for designing and manufacturing. This has resulted in a strong design DNA for an electric scooter made almost entirely in stainless steel.

Silver Award for Best Development: Foam-filled stainless ring structure for the DLR next generation car

The silver award for best development was given for the foam-filled stainless ring structure developed for the DLR next generation car. Twenty institutes of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) developed new vehicle concepts with their Next Generation Car project with the aim to answer the challenges of sustainability, zero emissions and cost-efficiency without decreasing lightweight and safety expectations.

DLR designed a completely new vehicle structure using an innovative sandwich construction with a circumferential ring structure where ultra-high strength stainless steel is filled with foam. Outokumpu delivered its new ultra-high strength stainless steel Forta H500 to fulfil the needed challenging requirements in point of lightweight, safety, sustainability and processing.

Background information

The annual awards of the International Stainless Steel Forum (ISSF) are awarded to its members in four categories: Best Technology, Best Development, Safety and Sustainability. The award winners are selected by a jury based on entries submitted by ISSF members.

Read more about the awards:

ISSF Awards