The launch of Outokumpu Circle Green®, the world’s first towards zero stainless steel over two years ago was a milestone for the global industry. It proved not only that stainless steel could be produced sustainably but that data proving this could be collected and communicated transparently. “Simply put, Circle Green is the most sustainable stainless steel available on the market,” explains Clemens Prim, Outokumpu’s Manager for Product and Application Sustainability. Stainless Steel World was keen to find out more about the company’s sustainability efforts and the response to Circle Green from the market.
By Joanne McIntyre, Stainless Steel World
What is Circle Green?
“Simply put, Circle Green is a highly CO2-reduced version of various stainless steel grades within the Outokumpu portfolio. As a company, we have a very strong focus on working in the most sustainable way possible to reduce emissions wherever we can. Two key factors in achieving this are the raw materials and the energy sources used during production. By replacing primary raw materials with recirculated scrap, we can produce Circle Green grades using up to 100% recycled material. By exclusively using renewable and low-carbon electricity in our production, we have eliminated up to 95% of all scope 1 and 2 CO2 emissions, depending on the grade produced. Furthermore, our production processes have been optimised by looking into the entire value chain and then acting on it, such as using biogas instead of natural gas in the production process. Every step, right down to the packaging and transportation, has been minutely examined and fine-tuned to achieve the lowest possible product carbon footprint,” explains Clemens.
Circle Green is currently available in Outokumpu Moda (EN 1.4003, EN 1.4016), Core (EN 1.4301, EN 1.4307, EN 1.4509 ), Forta (EN: 1.4162) and Supra (EN 1.4401, EN 1.4404), Deco (EN 1.4301, EN 1.4404) and Dura (EN 1.4034) product ranges. Trials for further grades are ongoing and new grades will be evaluated upon customer request.
Recycled content
Outokumpu is proud of what it claims to be the lowest carbon footprint in the industry. Overall, its stainless products have up to 75%* lower carbon footprint than the global industry average, while Circle Green is up to 93% lower.
“If all stainless steel was made like Outokumpu Circle Green, it would cut the global carbon footprint by 364 million tons every year,” explains Clemens.
The company culture has embraced the low-carbon challenge, with team members fully committed to finding ways to drive down the carbon footprint of its products even further. “Recently, a colleague working in our finishing department identified how to make our packaging more sustainable, further reducing the carbon footprint of Circle Green while still meeting customer requirements,” smiles Clemens. “It’s inspiring to see how the teams are invested in our goals; the feedback we receive within the company is fantastic, and I’m proud to be working on this project.”
Circle Green duplex
For customers looking for carbon-reduced duplexes, Outokumpu’s Forta LDX 2101 duplex stainless steel (EN: 1.4162) is available and enjoying success in the market.
“This is a lean-alloyed duplex product with good resistance to localised and uniform corrosion, as well as stress corrosion cracking, making it a good substitute for coated carbon steel in, for example, structural components and storage tanks. It also offers high mechanical strength and good machinability,” explains Clemens.
Typical applications for Forta LDX include storage tanks, household heaters, structural components for floodgates and bridges, rebar for concrete structures, pulp and paper industry applications (such as digesters and components for paper machines), and flanges and valves.
Product-specific carbon footprint
Outokumpu was one of the first stainless steel producers to offer a product-specific carbon footprint for its products.
“We make a very detailed calculation to determine the carbon footprint of our materials. On the one hand, this provides us with an in-depth understanding of the emissions produced for every single alloy grade; on the other hand, it enables customers to calculate their own emissions more accurately. They know exactly what they are buying and can easily compare how various grades differ. They can, for instance, compare the impact of specifying a duplex grade versus a standard grade from our portfolio and make an informed choice. Ultimately, product-specific carbon footprint information opens the door for customers to conduct their own lifecycle assessments and understand their emissions. We provide this information free of charge on every material certificate.”
Clemens explains that an increasing number of customers request this information. “There is a clear demand for this information. With several European reporting directives about to come into effect, companies need to understand where their carbon emissions are coming from, no matter which industry they are working in.”
Response from the market
Circle Green has been warmly received on the international market since its launch over two years ago, explains Clemens.
“There has been a fantastic response. Customers are keen to discuss it during our initial meetings to learn how it can help to reduce their own carbon footprint. Sustainability is such an important topic today, and this product range fits perfectly into that discussion.”
The potential for the range is limitless, says Clemens, as stainless steel is almost used everywhere.
“One of my favourite uses for Circle Green so far is our cooperation with Stahl Krebs and Zwilling J.A. Henckels producing knives, because it’s a tangible application I can literally hold in my hand and show to friends and family. All collaborations with our customers are great and just to mention some highlights, we also work with V-ZUG (Switzerland’s leading brand of household appliances such as dishwashers), Fissler premium cookware, and Stilride electric motorbikes.” Interest in other applications is growing rapidly, explains Clemens. “We see an increasing interest in Circle Green for our Deco products. Cladding and facades are an ideal application for this material, and architects and equipment manufacturers keen to reduce their carbon footprint are realising that this product range can make a significant impact.”
With growing demand from the market, the Outokumpu team expect the Circle Green line to be adopted for a range of applications. Clemens has identified storage tanks as a key opportunity for Circle Green duplex grades.
“The food and beverage industry uses a huge number of storage tanks, and our carbon-reduced range of duplexes is perfectly suited for this application. It offers the optimal technical properties of duplex stainless steel, plus a vastly reduced carbon footprint. There is fantastic potential for this application.”
Driving change
Sustainability has been an important focus for Outokumpu for many years and extends far beyond the alloys it produces. The company has targets approved by the SBTi (Science Based Target Initiative) for several years. It is well on track to achieve its longstanding ambition of reducing its emission intensity from the baseline of 2016 to 2030 by 42%, and it promotes full transparency in the industry to achieve these goals. This means covering all Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions when reporting emissions and a commitment to provide this detailed information for every product.
“This commitment is fixed in stone; even if the market changes and times get tough, we are committed to completing this journey. We are travelling down this path independently of how the economic situation may change in future. There is no other way forward for our planet.”
The company’s recent ResponsibleSteel certification (see text box) reflects its strong commitment to a low-carbon future.
“Achieving the certification has been a significant project for us, which involved many people over a number of years. Our commitment to investing in ResponsibleSteel certification underlines our sustainability ambitions and the journey we have embarked upon. It is an additional sign of trust for our customers; another way of demonstrating to them that we take this issue seriously. It’s important to realise that we are not alone in this journey; we see that other producers are now joining us, and it’s gratifying that the industry is embracing the changes that need to be made to decarbonise. By “walking the walk”, we have shown that change can be achieved, that there are ways to decarbonise stainless steel production significantly, and the market is ready for that. By leading the way, Outokumpu has become a beacon for other producers to follow.”
RESPONSIBLESTEEL CERTIFICATION
In May 2024, Outokumpu received ResponsibleSteel certification for all its manufacturing sites in Europe.
The organisation has set the global standard for the entire steel industry on sustainable steel sourcing and production. This achievement means Outokumpu is the first steel company in the Nordics to receive the global ResponsibleSteel certificates for all seven of its sites and operations in Finland, Sweden, and Germany. Outokumpu has been a member of the ResponsibleSteel initiative since 2019 and with the certification, wanted to get all relevant aspects of environment, social and corporate governance related to steel industry sustainability impacts screened by an external auditor based on a robust, transparent multi-stakeholder approach. The certification enables Outokumpu to evaluate and strengthen its sustainability work further and drive the steel industry forward.
The value of scrap
With recycled content playing such a pivotal role in the reduction of carbon emissions in stainless steel production, Outokumpu is pursuing ways to not only source scrap more sustainably but also to achieve full circularity with its products and together with customers.
Its Inner Circle initiative connects customers to scrap suppliers to create a closed loop. Every supplier involved is verified through open and objective criteria to ensure a sustainable supply chain.
“By enabling partners to participate actively in the circular economy, we can ensure an efficient, visible and sustainable supply chain for scrap that will benefit the production of sustainable stainless steel,” explains Clemens. “When Circle Green customers join the Inner Circle initiative, it truly closes the loop. Not only will they reduce their carbon emissions with the steel they use, but when they return their scrap to us, it will have the positive impact of further decreasing emissions. This is exactly where we would like our journey to go in future. It’s a positive, collaborative effort that jointly decreases emissions while working together”.
Even the transport of scrap has come under scrutiny as part of Outokumpu’s sustainability focus. This year, the company deepened its long-term transport collaboration with Finnish shipping company Langh Ship by using new energy-efficient and low-emission vessels. The company aims to have six vessels in use from Langh Ship by the end of the year, with a target to reduce Outokumpu’s annual carbon emissions from short-sea shipping by at least 25% by the end of 2024. The collaboration presents a positive outcome and aligns with tightening environmental regulations from both the EU and the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
While its journey is far from over, Outokumpu is well down the road and playing a leading role in the industry’s efforts to achieve decarbonisation. As its Circle Green and Inner Circle initiatives continue to grow, the company is pursuing its goal of helping to create a world that lasts forever.
*) Global average CO₂ emissions (2023): 7 kg CO₂e per kg of stainless steel (Outokumpu’s calculation based on data provided by CRU, worldstainless and Kobolde & Partners AB). Outokumpu Circle Green CO₂ emissions: down to 0.5 kilos of CO₂e per kg of stainless steel.
ABOUT CLEMENS PRIM
Clemens Prim has worked at Outokumpu since 2017, and, in his current position, is the Manager for Product and Application Sustainability. “Essentially, I am the interface between what the market and our customers need, and our different plants, working out concepts with our operational experts to reduce the carbon footprint of the materials we produce. With a focus on our Advanced Materials business line, all requests for ‘greener’ products from our advanced offerings are within my responsibility, aiming to fulfil our customers’ needs and expand our green offering.
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