Outokumpu will supply recycled-content metal to Alstom

Outokumpu, a Finnish producer of recycled-content stainless steel with global operations, has reached an agreement with France-based Alstom to supply it with Outokumpu Circle Green-branded metal for use in passenger rail coaches it will manufacture.

The metals producer says Circle Green is stainless steel with up to  93 percent lower carbon footprint compared to other such alloys, thanks in part to its high recycled content percentage.

Outokumpu's first delivery of Circle Green to Alstom is scheduled for 2026, when it will be used in the latest generation of the Alstom Metropolis metro cars.

The metals producer says the agreement supports both companies’ climate targets and Science-Based Targets Initiative commitments and will contribute to a European Union goal of becoming climate neutral by 2050.

“Remaining competitive and accelerating the green transition is fundamental to Europe’s future,” says Rolf Schencking, an executive with Outokumpu. “Stainless steel is the most versatile industrial material, heavily needed for transportation solutions to reduce emissions and playing a vital part also for innovation and technological progress.

“Europe needs frontrunner companies throughout the value chain to drive the green transition forward. We are excited to take the next step with Alstom to support our customers’ decarbonization journey. The Circle Green contract with Alstom is volume-wise the biggest for us in the mobility sector and is due to be used in a first metro car project in Europe.”

The collaboration between Outokumpu and Alstom supports the latter firm’s goal to reduce emissions from procured goods and services by 30 percent by 2030, according to Outokumpu. The use of Green Circle will enable Alstom to integrate a higher recyclable metal content rate in its products.

“Outokumpu’s Circle Green will be used for the outer layer of the metro cars,” says Véronique Andriès, vice president with sustainability responsibilities at Alstom. “Our partnership is fully in line with the eco-design process we have applied for years for the design of our products and services. Using stainless steel with lower carbon emissions compared to standard steel, will contribute in our efforts to significantly reduce our CO₂ emissions.”