Outokumpu will start production of ferritic grade stainless steel in its integrated stainless steel production unit in Tornio, Finland. The investment of EUR 13 million falls well within the tight capex limits of the Group. The main components in the investment are batch annealing furnaces in Tornio for heat treatment of coils after hot rolling. No other changes in the production process are needed. The delivery capacity of ferritic grades will be some 60 000 tonnes in white hot band or cold rolled products. The first deliveries will be made in the first quarter of 2007. The remainder of Tornio’s 1.2 million tonnes cold rolling mill capacity will continue to produce austenitic (i.e. nickel containing) grades.
