Outokumpu has launched a new line of sustainable stainless steel, Circle Green, with a carbon footprint that is 92% lower than the global industry average and 64% lower than Outokumpu’s regular stainless steel production, said the company in a press release in June.
The new product line enables a significant reduction in carbon emissions by relying on bio-based materials – biogas, biodiesel and biocoke – to produce stainless steel and by purchasing electricity from low carbon emission sources. carbon.
“Our lower emissions product addresses the global need for more durable and sustainable products that help build a more sustainable future. The material was produced on an industrial scale with our existing means of production. This is a key milestone and an essential achievement in achieving Outokumpu’s sustainability goals,” said Niklas Wass, Outokumpu’s Executive Vice President of Operations.
The first batch was produced in Tornio, Finland, a company spokesperson told Fastmarkets on Thursday, June 24. “Fiskars Group is the first company to use [Circle Green] as a raw material in Fiskars branded cookware made from [the company’s] Sorsakoshi factory in Finland.
We see growing demand from global customers for low carbon stainless steels, from construction to heavy industry and consumer products
Wass was optimistic about the demand for Circle Green. “We are seeing growing demand from global customers for low carbon stainless steels, from construction to heavy industry and consumer products. I am very happy to say that Outokumpu is now ready to respond to this request. In this first phase, we will concentrate our efforts to serve a few strategic customers, but we are already looking for ways to increase production. »
An East Coast stainless steel products distributor was positive about its promise, but said it would be difficult to see it adopted. “It’s really great for the world, and I think all industries are moving towards reducing their carbon footprint. Unfortunately, the cost of that compared to seeing [some] Asian countries don’t care [advancing sustainability] will be taken into account to determine if this is viable.
To reduce its carbon footprint with the new product, the company reduced emissions from raw material production, power generation, and every stage of production, starting with the smelting process.
Outokumpu said its use of bio-based materials and low-carbon electricity has eliminated 95% of the company’s needs. Scope 1 and Scope 2 CO2 emissions.
While the bio-based materials had already been tested in production, they were used together for the first time to produce Circle Green, according to the company.
The emissions reduction calculation includes all emission scopes under the Greenhouse Gas Protocol method to give a complete picture of emissions, the company said.
Circle Green is not yet available in North America, according to Outokumpu’s spokesperson.
“The first batch was produced at our factory in Tornio, Finland, and we are currently reviewing what we have learned from this initial production so that we can apply best practices to other sites in Outokumpu,” said the carrier. word.
Fastmarkets monthly valuation for 304 stainless steel cold-rolled sheet, fob US plant was $256 per cwt ($5,120 per short ton) on Friday, June 10, down 6.57% from 274 $ per quintal on May 10, but up 4.92% from $244 per quintal on April 11.
