Setting the standard for low-emission stainless steel
Global megatrends such as population growth, accelerating mobility and urbanization have resulted in increasing carbon emissions and climate change. Stainless steel can help to build solutions for a more sustainable world.
Outokumpu’s carbon footprint is up to 75% lower than the global industry average*. Key reasons for our low carbon footprint are our own ferrochrome, high recycled content and the use of low carbon electricity.
Outokumpu helps its customers develop solutions that reduce climate burden by means of the right material choices. Our customers are able to reduce their carbon footprint by 10 million tons annually.
Ambitious climate targets
Our total company carbon profile, including upstream emissions, is the lowest in the industry according to our calculations. We have reduced our emissions by increasing the share of recycled material content in stainless steel production to up to 95%. In addition, we have increased the share of low-carbon electricity in energy consumption, improved energy efficiency and reduced transport emissions.
Outokumpu has been a member of the Science Based Targets initiative since 2016. We are committed to the ambition of keeping global warming below 1.5°C and updated our climate targets accordingly in 2021. Outokumpu is the only stainless steel producer to have climate targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative.
Outokumpu’s near-term science-based target is to reduce direct and indirect emissions as well as its supply chain emissions (scopes 1, 2 and 3) by 42% per tonne of stainless steel by 2030 from a 2016 base year. The new target marks a further 30% reduction from the 2020 level. The updated targets cover Outokumpu’s value chain from raw materials to own production and delivery.
*Outokumpu’s average product carbon footprint (2024): 1.6 kg CO₂e per kg of stainless steel based on lifecycle assessment. Global average carbon footprint of stainless steel: (2024): 7 kg CO₂e per kg of stainless steel. (Outokumpu’s calculation based on data provided by CRU, worldstainless, and Kobolde & Partners AB)
Innovation for decarbonization
Our commitment to innovation, research and development is driving the creation of new business models, investments in cutting-edge technologies, and the invention of revolutionary products. They all contribute to Outokumpu’s work on decarbonization, benefiting both the customers and the environment.
Our spearhead climate solution, Outokumpu Circle Green®, is the world’s first near-zero stainless steel with up to 93% lower carbon footprint compared to the global industry average. If all the stainless steel in the world was produced using the same methods, it would reduce global carbon emissions by 364 million tonnes each year.
With Outokumpu EvoCarbon we are investigating new technologies related to the use of biocoke which would help us to reduce our direct emissions with biomass-based raw materials. Revolutionary products and new innovations include groundbreaking metal powder portfolio for additive manufacturing and 3D printing.