Outokumpu starts a collaboration with thyssenkrupp Materials Processing Europe and Boysen Group to help decarbonize the automotive industry

The first Circle Green coils at thyssenkrupp Materials Processing Europe in Mannheim for further processing and supply to Boysen Group.

Outokumpu starts a collaboration with thyssenkrupp Materials Processing Europe and Boysen Group to help decarbonize the automotive industry

Outokumpu, the global leader in stainless steel, is partnering with thyssenkrupp Materials Processing Europe, a leading steel and aluminium service centre, and Boysen Group, a premium exhaust system manufacturer, to introduce the world’s first towards-zero stainless steel to the automotive industry. Outokumpu’s Circle Green is the world’s most sustainable stainless steel with up to 92% lower carbon footprint than the industry average*. The companies aim to supply larger quantities of Outokumpu’s Circle Green product to the industry as of the second half of 2023.

“Together with our dedicated partners we are expanding this unique solution into the automotive industry. Like many other industries, the automotive sector is looking into cutting its carbon dioxide emissions, and we can help our customers and partners to develop solutions that reduce the climate burden. A year ago, we introduced Circle Green, our towards-zero-stainless steel, which has generated significant interest and demand across various segments. By uniting the strengths and expertise of Outokumpu, thyssenkrupp Materials Processing Europe and Boysen Group, the partnership represents a milestone in the pursuit of a low-emission automotive industry”, says Niklas Wass, Executive Vice President, Stainless Europe, Outokumpu.

Towards-zero stainless steel for the first time to the automotive industry  

Tailpipe emissions from cars, trucks, and other road vehicles account for around 75% of all carbon emissions from mobility — approximately six gigatons of CO₂ per year. The shift to low-emission vehicles will disrupt the entire automotive supply chain and create a significant change in the market for auto components.**

As part of the collaboration, Outokumpu supplies the material to thyssenkrupp Materials Processing Europe, the service centre experts then take care of processing the master coil into slit strips and manages the just-in-time delivery to the Boysen Group.

"As an independent service centre, supply and service around emission-reduced metal products are central services for our company. We want to support our customers and partners in developing sustainable solutions – such as using Circle Green with up to 92% lower carbon footprint than the industry average, for our customer Boysen Group”, says Marcus Wöhl, CEO of thyssenkrupp Materials Processing Europe.

The supply of CO₂ reduced material is an important building block in the sustainability strategy of thyssenkrupp Materials Services, the parent company of thyssenkrupp Materials Processing Europe.

With the procurement and use of decarbonized stainless steel, the Boysen Group is acting as a role model in the automotive industry towards more sustainable supply chains. The use of Circle Green enables the Boysen Group an enormous savings potential in CO₂ emissions and thereby actively contributes to climate protection – at the same time supporting the company target of protecting, preserving, and shaping the environment.

"For us as a developer and manufacturer of systems and components that provide crucial reductions in pollutant and noise emissions in our customers' vehicles, environmental protection is an essential part of our business. We are proud to have found two strategic partners to further advance the important topic of sustainability and CO₂ neutrality in the supply chain. True to our path – without change, no future", says Rolf Geisel, CEO of Boysen Group.

Outokumpu’s Circle Green has set a global precedent, as no other stainless steel manufacturer has achieved such low emission levels throughout the entire production chain from raw material extraction to final production.

*) Global average CO₂ emissions 6.1 kg of CO₂ per kg of stainless steel. Outokumpu Circle Green CO₂ emissions: up to 0.5 tons of CO₂ per ton of stainless steel.

**) The automotive sector’s net-zero transition: Shifting to low-emission vehicles | Sustainability | McKinsey & Company

Read more: Reduce your carbon footprint with Outokumpu Circle Green | Outokumpu

For more information:

Outokumpu media: Päivi Allenius, VP – Communications, Tel.: +358 40 753 7374 or Outokumpu media desk,
tel. +358 40 351 9840  

thyssenkrupp Materials Services media: Lars Bank, Head of Communications, Tel.: +49 201 844 534416, lars.bank@thyssenkrupp-materials.com

Boysen Group media: Christian Grimm, Press and public relations Tel.: 07452 – 8404 - 200

thyssenkrupp Materials Services in brief

thyssenkrupp Materials Services is the biggest mill-independent materials distributor and service provider in the Western world with around 380 locations – including around 260 warehouse sites – in more than 30 countries. The versatile range of services offered by the materials experts allows customers to focus even more strongly on their individual core businesses. As part of its strategic further development "Materials as a Service" the company is focusing on the supply of raw materials and materials as well as products and services in the area of supply chain management. Digital solutions ensure efficient and resource-saving processes for customers and thus provide the basis for sustainable action. From 2030 thyssenkrupp Materials Services will operate on a climate-neutral basis.

Boysen Group in brief

The business of the Boysen Group, headquartered in Altensteig (Baden-Württemberg), is the development and production of high-performance exhaust systems and components for passenger cars, commercial vehicles and off-highway applications. In addition to its three main customers Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, the exhaust technology specialist works for the German car manufacturers Volkswagen and Porsche, the British brands Bentley and Rolls-Royce, the commercial vehicle manufacturers Daimler and MAN, and in the field of off-highway applications for Krauss Maffei, MTU, Voith and others.

In the course of technological change within the automotive industry, Boysen is focusing not only on innovative exhaust technologies but also on new product groups that can be used in all vehicles – regardless of the type of drive. The foundation company sees another important component of its future strategy in the field of energy technology, with a particular focus on topics such as hydrogen, fuel cells and stationary energy storage.

The Boysen Group currently employs around 5,200 people at 27 locations in Germany and abroad. In addition to the development sites in Altensteig and Nagold, Boysen has production sites in Altensteig, Simmersfeld, Heubach, Salching, Ingolstadt, Plauen and Achim, as well as in France, Egypt, South Africa, India, China, Mexico, Serbia, Romania and the USA.