According to the Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE, Outokumpu has decreased its CO2 emissions in proportion to its steel production by a quarter during the last ten years. Outokumpu’s aim is to decrease the emissions further by a fifth during the next decade.

A study focusing on steel manufacturing in the EU shows that the carbon footprint of the stainless steel products of Outokumpu is 10 to 20 per cent smaller than in the EU in average.

Outokumpu has improved its efficiency in many ways. Juha Ylimaunu, SVP, Enviroment, of the Group says that the recycled content of the steel is 90 per cent. According to Mr Ylimaunu Outokumpu purchases electricity that has as low emissions as possible or no emissions at all.

Juha Ylimaunu states that Outokumpu’s plant in Tornio is the most energy efficient in the business and it wants to keep this position. He adds that the CO2 emissions for a tone of stainless steel produced in Tornio is less than half of the average emissions in the EU.

Outokumpu waiting for nuclear power decisions

Outokumpu is now waiting for the decisions regarding the construction for new nuclear power plants as the company is a shareholder in Fennovoima nuclear power plant project. This is in line with Outokumpu’s environmental targets. Mr Ylimaunu says that Fennovoima is important for Outokumpu as well as for many other shareholders in need for electricity in Finland.

Juha Ylimaunu points out that the company wants electricity that has as low CO2 levels as possible as this supports Outokumpu’s position as the leader in producing low-emission stainless steel. He believes that in the future, also customers who buy the end products of the company are interested in the production chain qualities.

>> Outokumpu is one of Fennovoima's 64 shareholders.