Finland-based producer Outokumpu has decided to step up production of ferritic stainless steels due to a shift in the stainless steel market away from using austenitic (high nickel content) grades. According to Outokumpu the movement in the market towards ferritic grades follows the recent sharp increase in the price of nickel. Ferritic grades represent one quarter of all those used in the world, the company adds. Over the next few months Outokumpu will be stepping up production of two ferritic grades, EN1.4016 (type 430) used in interior decoration and household appliances, and EN1.4003 used in transport applications. The company has begun a EUR 90 million project to replace the existing annealing and pickling line at Tornio to improve its ferritics production capability, as previously reported, and this will be completed by the end of 2008 the company confirms.
