Drivers of sustainable stainless steel
Materials for the future
Demand for stainless steel is growing as it is an answer to the many challenges the world is facing these days. Global megatrends such as climate change, urbanization and population growth are increasing the demand for low-emission stainless steel.
Steel has a pivotal role in decarbonization: while the steel industry is a major contributor to climate change, accounting for 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, Outokumpu’s low-emission stainless steel already offers a solution to reduce carbon emissions across industries.
Sustainability forms the foundation of our business
Working towards a world that lasts forever
Outokumpu’s sustainability approach is built on double materiality, addressing our operations’ environmental, societal and financial impacts.
From commitment towards an ambitious science-based climate target aligned with the 1.5°C goal, to innovating and investing in low-emission production and products, Outokumpu offers stainless steel with up to 75% lower carbon footprint than the industry average, helping our customers reduce their overall emissions. Through initiatives like Circle Green®, Outokumpu supports customers in reducing Scope 3 emissions and accelerating the green transition across industries.
Social aspects are embedded in the strategy, with strong commitments to safety, human rights, and ethical governance. Outokumpu also leads the way in supply chain transparency and has earned ResponsibleSteel® certification for all European sites. By combining innovation, partnerships, and purpose-driven leadership, Outokumpu is working toward a world that lasts forever.
Our sustainability strategy is based on assessing impacts and risks on business
Environment
Stainless steel production requires significant amounts of energy and raw materials. By embedding circular economy into the business model and committing to keeping global warming below 1.5 degrees, Outokumpu is offering stainless steel with up to 75% lower carbon footprint.
Social
Outokumpu invests to high safety standards to prevent hazardous working conditions. By promoting diversity, equity and inclusion, we foster innovation and talent attraction. Outokumpu also develops its work on human rights and environment in its own operations and across the value chain.
Governance
Outokumpu is committed to conducting business with high integrity and fostering a corporate culture that is anchored in ethical and responsible business practices. Outokumpu also expects its business partners to follow similar ethical standards as Outokumpu.
Globally recognized sustainability leadership
Commitments and initiatives
Outokumpu actively participates in several key sustainability initiatives. We support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through its operations and products, and have been a member of the Science Based Targets initiative since 2016, committing to the 1.5°C climate target. Outokumpu is the only stainless steel producer with climate targets approved by the initiative.
Outokumpu also joined ResponsibleSteel in 2019 and became the first Nordic steel manufacturer to receive certification for all its European sites in 2024, demonstrating its commitment to transparent and sustainable steel production. Additionally, Outokumpu’s chrome mine in Kemi, Finland, adheres to the Finnish sustainability standard for mining as part of the Finnish Network for Sustainable Mining.
Ratings and indexes
Outokumpu is included in several corporate sustainability indexes and ratings. Outokumpu is among the best-performing steel companies in the Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) by S&P Global – the leading global benchmark in the growing field of Sustainability Investing and Corporate Sustainability. Outokumpu is also included in Sustainability Yearbook 2024.
In Corporate Knights’ rankings, Outokumpu has reached the Clean200 and Europe50 lists. Latest EcoVadis assessment in February 2025 gave Outokumpu the highest Platinum-level recognition. Sustainalytics has ranked Outokumpu among the best performing ESG Leaders.