Outokumpu, the pioneer in sustainable stainless steel, entered the metal powder market for additive manufacturing nearly a year ago by piloting to produce metal powder at its production site in Krefeld, Germany in April 2023. Outokumpu’s target is to further strengthen the company’s ambitious innovation strategy and circular economy efforts by producing annually up to 330 tons of metal powder from the company’s own recycled material, 100% stainless steel scrap. Upon completion of the first trial-year, the company is now entering into commercial production phase.
Outokumpu has been entering a collaboration with steel trading company STAHL KREBS. Another collaboration in the pipeline is within the medical and jewellery industry to work on nickel-free materials, which can be used for implants, medical tools and watches. The collaboration is taking place via a public funded project by EIT Raw Materials, HiPAM, led by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland.