Sustainability and 3D printing discussed at the Outokumpu Krefeld visit by local politicians

Representatives of the CDU parliamentary group in North Rhine-Westphalia for talks at Outokumpu in Krefeld

Yesterday, members of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) parliamentary group in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) met with company representatives at the Outokumpu mill in Krefeld to discuss topics that are currently concerning the steel industry. In addition to aspects of sustainability, the discussions focused on the company's products and customers, but also on the current economic and political situation.

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Storage of the finished, rolled stainless steel coils. 

Sustainability in all production areas, but also in procurement, is of great importance to Outokumpu and one of the core elements of the corporate strategy. Already today, the company's carbon footprint is 70 percent lower than the global industry average. And last year, Outokumpu committed to the 1.5 degree climate target of the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) and is currently the only stainless steel manufacturer to commit to these ambitious CO2 reductions.

The stainless steel produced by Outokumpu consists of more than 90 percent recycled steel scrap – which helps minimizing the need for primary raw materials. "We also attach great importance to sustainability when procuring raw materials and other materials," says Stefan Erdmann, Chief Technology Officer & Group Sustainability. “Going forward, the sustainability of our supply chain is an important focus area. That is why we have taken numerous measures over the past year to further improve our sustainable procurement practices. This includes also incorporating the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGP).”

Part of the future-oriented focus of the company is also the further development of the site in Krefeld. Here, Outokumpu has made numerous investments in modernizing production lines and infrastructure and initiated new projects in the recent years. For example, the setup of a new production plant that will convert stainless steel scrap into powder is currently in full swing. Such high-quality stainless steel powder is used, amongst others, for the metallic 3D printing of components in the aviation, automotive, oil and gas or tool industries. The new plant is built in cooperation with SMS group and is scheduled to go into operation this summer.

"The new powder production plant is just one building block with which we are aligning this location with the future," says Henrik Lehnhardt, Managing Director and Labor Director of Outokumpu Nirosta GmbH. "In the coming years, the entire Industry Park where our mill is located is to be further developed together with the second property owner, Thelen Group, and upgraded by settling new companies."

Group photo from left to right, front row: Henrik Lehnhardt (Managing Director and Labor Director Outokumpu Nirosta GmbH), Britta Oellers (Member of the NRW State Parliament), Hasim Cantürk (Chairman of the Outokumpu Works Council in Krefeld) and Angelika Brünsing (Member of the Krefeld City Council). Back row: Paul Schlimgen (Outokumpu, SVP-Head of Customer Experience & Digital Sales), Stefan Erdmann (Outokumpu Chief Technology Officer & Group Sustainability), Thilo Forkel (Chairman CDA Krefeld), Michael Landskron (Consultant NRW State Parliament), Dr. Cem Kurutas (Managing Director Outokumpu Nirosta GmbH and Head of Operations Krefeld) and Wolfgang Lueg (Chairman of a local citizens' association in Krefeld). 

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Aerial view of the Industry Park Krefeld with the Outokumpu mill

For more information please contact:

Claudia Fischer
Communications Manager Germany
Phone: +49 (0) 2151 832123
Mobile: +49 (0) 176 56907575
E-mail: claudia.fischer@outokumpu.com