Outokumpu’s Metal Powder Production to Support Circular Economy and Sustainability Strategy

Outokumpu’s Metal Powder Production to Support Circular Economy and Sustainability Strategy

(IN BRIEF) Outokumpu, a global leader in sustainable stainless steel, is entering the metal powder production business at its mill in Krefeld, Germany, starting in April 2023. The company’s focus is on producing metal powders suited for advanced manufacturing technologies, such as Additive Manufacturing, Metal Injection Moulding, Binder Jetting, and Hot Isostatic Pressing. Metal powders can boost production capabilities by enabling manufacturers to produce parts with higher complexity, less weight, and shorter lead times. Outokumpu’s metal powder production further strengthens the company’s sustainability strategy and circular economy efforts by using locally sourced steel scrap. Outokumpu’s stainless steel has the highest recycling rate in the industry, and the company is partnering with SMS group as the technology supplier.

(PRESS RELEASE) HELSINKI, 29-Mar-2023 — /EuropaWire/ —  Outokumpu (HEL: OUT1V), the largest producer of stainless steel in Europe, is set to revolutionize the additive manufacturing industry by introducing a new business of producing metal powders. The company will begin metal powder production at its mill in Krefeld, Germany, in April 2023, using locally sourced steel scrap for sustainability and circular economy efforts. Outokumpu’s focus is on producing metal powders suited for advanced manufacturing technologies, such as Additive Manufacturing (AM), Metal Injection Moulding (MIM), Binder Jetting (BJ), and Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP).

“The global demand for metal powder is on the rise and we see great potential for the business in the near future. We have seen the growth of Additive Manufacturing industries and the potential to strengthen the position and use of stainless steel for metal powder products, and therefore decided to start the construction of a new designed atomization plant. Outokumpu has an extensive expertise on the materials and will partner with interested powder customers. We are happy to start with the internal production soon, followed by external run a bit later. There is already a great interest among customers and the first projects have started,” says Thomas Anstots, President of BL Advanced materials at Outokumpu.

Metal powders enable manufacturers to produce parts with higher complexity, less weight, and shorter lead times, helping avoid disruptions in the supply chain. Outokumpu’s new portfolio of high-quality metal powders includes stainless steel and nickel alloys, specially formulated to meet the demands of modern manufacturing in terms of quality, sustainability, and flexibility.

“In the near future, the estimated total production capacity will be approximately 330 tons annually. Our longer-term target is to utilize the learnings and to build up our R&D knowhow to support the customer journey with expertise, new material development, flexibility and customization for various powder metallurgy technologies. In our future vision, we could be able to serve our customers in such a way that they could come to us with a problem and leave with a solution,” Anstots continues.

Outokumpu has the highest recycling rate in the industry, with its stainless steel having a recycled material content rate of 94% in 2022. The company’s mills in Europe and the US are among the largest material recycling facilities globally. Outokumpu is partnering with SMS group as the technology supplier, ensuring a continuous line optimization and close collaboration in the powder business between the supplier and the producer over the next few years.

“We want to help our customers to reduce climate burden by means of the right material choices. I’m proud of the fact that our new atomization plant in Krefeld will be a large recycling unit to support the circular economy further. The embodied carbon footprint of our whole production process is also reduced as the raw material is generated, and the product is produced and packaged, all in one place. This ensures to control the entire process and to significantly cut down the transportation emissions too,” says Anstots.

Read more: Metal powder | Outokumpu

For more information:

Outokumpu media desk, tel. +358 40 351 9840, e-mail media@outokumpu.com

SOURCE: Outokumpu Oyj