Purem by Eberspächer has switched to Outokumpu Circle Green®, the world's first towards zero carbon stainless steel, for the exhaust systems it produces for one of Europe’s best-known commercial vehicle manufacturers. The result is savings of thousands of tons of carbon dioxide a year.
Driving down the carbon footprint of exhaust systems with Outokumpu Circle Green®
Expert in exhaust technology and acoustics
Purem by Eberspächer is one of the leading system developers and suppliers for the automotive industry, and its exhaust division is expert in exhaust technology and acoustics. Its product portfolio has been developed to meet stringent emissions legislation worldwide, covering both pollutant and noise limits, while also fulfilling customer requirements for durability and corrosion resistance. The company uses lightweight materials and designs wherever possible.
Long-standing strategic partner
For around 25 years, Outokumpu has been a strategic partner for Purem by Eberspächer’s European market and an integral part of its entire supply chain. In the past decade, this cooperation has further intensified, particularly in the use of more sustainable steel. Now the switch to Outokumpu Circle Green® is taking the partnership to the next level.
Wilsdruff plant’s conversion to Circle Green
As part of a pilot project that started in 2023, the Purem by Eberspächer plant in Wilsdruff, Germany converted around 90% of the most common steel grade used in the production line for a leading commercial vehicle manufacturer to Circle Green. By the end of 2025, the inner and outer shells as well as the insulation were also adapted to the new material. That means Circle Green, with up to 93% lower carbon footprint than the global industry average, is now used for the majority of exhaust technology components in series production for the European market. The systems are installed in medium- and heavy-duty vehicles like trucks, buses and construction machinery.
Aiming to be a CO2-neutral company by 2040.
Jörg Steins, CEO of Purem by Eberspächer and the Eberspächer Group, says:
“We are working consistently toward our goal of achieving CO2-neutral production by 2030 and becoming a CO2-neutral company by 2040 – for future generations, for the mobility of tomorrow, and for the decades ahead as a family business. In doing so, we are aligning ourselves with the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement."
“Using Outokumpu Circle Green® is an important step towards reducing our Scope 3 emissions. These comprise all indirect greenhouse gas emissions that are not directly caused by us but are attributable to our business activities. For our goal of becoming a CO2-neutral company by 2040, we see sourcing steel with the lowest possible carbon footprint as one of the greatest potentials to reduce these emissions.”
Production of exhaust technology for commercial vehicles at the production site in Wilsdruff, Germany. Image courtesy of Purem by Eberspächer.
Optimized supply chain is essential for on-time delivery
Commenting on how the switch to Circle Green was accomplished, Roy Juch, Director Global Cost Management & Global Raw Materials at Purem by Eberspächer, said:
“In practice, we faced a very complex sequence in which all procurement activities must interact precisely. From purchasing and allocation to our suppliers to the on-time delivery of individual parts and components to the production plant – an optimized supply chain is essential for on-time delivery. To bring the new material into operational control, it was necessary to precisely adjust the individual steps along the supply chain. The conversion of all customer-related materials on our production lines in Wilsdruff is clear proof of the excellent cooperation between all the departments involved.”
High level of CO2 savings
The commercial vehicle manufacturer's anticipated purchasing volume of Outokumpu Circle Green® is in the high four-digit ton range, resulting in CO2 savings of over 8,000 tCO2 per year.
Looking ahead
“Following our European pilot project, we are going one step further,” says Roy Juch. “Together with the commercial vehicle manufacturer, we are discussing the possibility of switching to Outokumpu Circle Green® for other steel grades in addition to the two most common ones already covered in this project. We are also planning a joint sustainability roadmap. Discussions are also underway with other customers to further promote the use of sustainable steel.”