Outokumpu publishes environmental data for stainless steel

Steel company Outokumpu Oyj has released new, externally verified Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for its stainless steel products. The company stated the aim is to provide customers with transparent data on product environmental impacts and assist them in reducing supply chain carbon emissions.

Outokumpu claims its stainless steel has a carbon footprint up to 75% lower than the global industry average. In 2023, the company's products reportedly reduced customers' global emissions by 12 million tons compared to the average stainless steel. The steel sector accounts for approximately 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with significant reductions targeted in the coming decades.

"These verified EPDs help improve transparency in the stainless steel value chain and make it easier for our customers in industries like construction, energy, and marine to choose materials that help them reduce their carbon emissions," said Heidi Peltonen, Vice President for Sustainability at Outokumpu, in a statement.

The EPDs cover three stainless steel product groups: austenitic, ferritic, and duplex. They include data on a range of environmental indicators, such as carbon emissions, resource use, and waste indicators. The calculations are based on lifecycle analyses covering the entire steel lifecycle, from raw material extraction to manufacturing and end-of-life recycling potential.