The European stainless steel producer Outokumpu announces that the 2009 Life Cycle Inventory Study on Stainless Steel Production in the European Union shows that Outokumpu’s stainless steel facilities have the smallest carbon footprint of all stainless steel producers in Europe. In general, the company notes that the firm’s output is 10 to 20 percent lower than the EU average.
The company states that its results have been achieved through improved processes, but also by optimizing the use of recycled steel and by pursuing a low-carbon electricity mix.
In the last ten years Outokumpu says it has managed to reduce its direct carbon dioxide emissions by 25 percent per ton of stainless steel produced. Outokumpu’s target is a further 20 percent reduction by 2020. Emissions are calculated per ton of steel produced, hence highlighting not only the actual reductions, but also production efficiency.
Outokumpu carbon profile consists of direct emissions from production operations, indirect emissions from purchased electricity as well as emissions resulting from transport of products and business travel. The targeted annual reduction is about 370,000 tons of CO2 emissions, totaling 2.2 million tons during the program period, calculated against current capacity and products.
The primary actions within the program consist of further improvements in energy efficiency, increasing the share of carbon-free electricity and targeting for efficient and optimal production levels.
“Being a global player in an energy-intensive industry means great responsibility, and we are making our contribution,” says Juha Rantanen, CEO of Outokumpu. “The proportion of recycled material in our products is already a lot higher than the global average and our ferrochrome production is a world leader in both energy efficiency and curbing CO2 emissions. The new program will further emphasize the importance of low-emission energy sources and energy efficiency.”
The Life Cycle Inventory Study on Stainless Steel Production in the EU was carried out in 2009 by German-based PE International.
More information is available at www.outokumpu.com.