Outokumpu outlines criteria for sustainable stainless steel procurement
Outokumpu Oyj has established a framework for buyers to evaluate stainless steel suppliers based on carbon footprint data, recycled content, and verified sustainability performance.
As climate regulations tighten, stainless steel procurement is shifting from a price-focused model to one centered on environmental transparency. Outokumpu Oyj has detailed five key criteria to assist companies in standardizing their supplier evaluations, moving beyond industry averages toward product-specific carbon footprint data.
Outokumpu highlights that accurate comparisons require data compliant with the ISO 14040 lifecycle assessment standard, covering Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. The company reports its own average product carbon footprint at 1.6 kg CO2 per kg of stainless steel, compared to a global industry average of 7 kg. Reliable assessment also depends on the verification of environmental product declarations (EPDs) by third parties to ensure data integrity.
Recycled material content remains a critical metric for evaluating sustainability performance. Using scrap metal significantly lowers energy requirements compared to processing virgin ore. Outokumpu reported a record 95 percent recycled material input rate in 2024, emphasizing that stainless steel’s recyclability is central to reducing industrial emissions across the value chain.