Finnish Company Outokumpu Leads Industry in Sustainability with First-Ever Environmental Product Declaration for Ferrochrome Production

Finnish Company Outokumpu Leads Industry in Sustainability with First-Ever Environmental Product Declaration for Ferrochrome Production

(IN BRIEF) Outokumpu, possessing the EU’s largest chromite reserves, sets a new sustainability benchmark by becoming the first ferrochrome producer to release an environmental product declaration (EPD) for its ferrochrome production process. The EPD, a verified and comprehensive assessment, showcases Outokumpu’s significantly lower carbon footprint compared to industry averages. The declaration not only demonstrates the company’s dedication to environmental transparency but also aligns with the growing global demand for low carbon materials in anticipation of the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. This milestone reflects Outokumpu’s self-sufficiency in stainless steel’s key raw material, thanks to their chrome mine and ferrochrome smelters. The EPD is poised to become a valuable asset for both the company and its customers, empowering them to reduce their carbon emissions effectively.

(PRESS RELEASE) HELSINKI, 16-Aug-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — “The environmental product declaration works as a valuable evidence for Outokumpu Ferrochrome’s low carbon footprint and increases transparency on its effect on the environment. In addition, as the EPD is third party verified and based on a vast lifecycle assessment study, it is considered unique in the market. Moreover, it will help our customers to prepare their own declarations”, says Martti Sassi, President of the Business Area Ferrochrome at Outokumpu.

“Especially due to the forthcoming EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) that is stepping into its transitional phase in October 2023, the global demand for low carbon footprint materials – such as ferrochrome – is expected to grow significantly. In this development, the EPD for Outokumpu ferrochrome will surely prove to be a great asset also for our customers”, Sassi continues.

Through its own chrome mine, Outokumpu has unique access to an essential raw material in the production of stainless steel. Own ferrochrome production makes Outokumpu self-sufficient in the most important raw material of stainless steel. The Business Area Ferrochrome runs the chrome mine in Kemi and ferrochrome smelters in Tornio, Finland.

The (EPD) document for Outokumpu ferrochrome is available online in the international environmental product declarations library: S-P-09583 – Ferrochrome (environdec.com)

*) The process for verification and establishing the validity of an EPD is in accordance with EN ISO 14025 and ISO 21930 standards.
**) ICDA report 2021: ICDA-HC-FeCr-LCA-summary-2022.pdf (icdacr.com)

Media Contact:

Outokumpu’s media desk
tel. +358 40 351 9840
e-mail media(at)outokumpu.com

SOURCE: Outokumpu Oyj