For Valmet, a developer and supplier of process technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries, managing a more transparent supply chain is a necessity driven by stakeholder demand. Valmet’s customers and stakeholders put high importance on responsibility issues and take an active interest in the company’s supply chain. They want to be assured that materials are procured in an ethical and environmentally sound manner.
To trace its supply chain all the way back to the production of raw materials, Valmet needs the cooperation of suppliers, such as stainless steel provider Outokumpu.
Full traceability reduces risks
Outokumpu stainless steel is used in many Valmet technologies, e.g. in the wet end of paper machines, where corrosion-resistant material is required. To help Valmet account for the impact of stainless components, Outokumpu provides environmental and ethical profiles for its products transparently.
Outokumpu has tracked data of sourcing, and knows the exact origin of its virgin alloys. Thus, it is easy for Valmet to trace the responsibility of Outokumpu stainless steel. Outokumpu’s work in creating transparency in the supply chain helps Valmet and its customers to assess and manage the impacts of their own value chain and meet growing compliance demands.
Recycling shrinks carbon footprint
Traceability in the supply chain also gives Valmet customers the necessary data to recycle stainless steel at the end of the equipment’s lifecycle. Customers can sell the material onwards instead of disposing of it as waste, gaining both environmental and cost benefits.
As Outokumpu’s stainless steel has the highest recycled content in the industry, using it Valmet technologies reduces the environmental impacts of the entire value chain.