Outokumpu and Siemens join forces to reduce carbon emissions in the production of medium-voltage switchgear
Outokumpu Oyj
Press release
December 13, 2023 at 12.00 noon EET
Outokumpu and Siemens join forces to reduce carbon emissions in the production of medium-voltage switchgear
Outokumpu, the global leader in sustainable stainless steel, and Siemens, a technology company focused on industry, infrastructure, transport, and healthcare, have agreed on the first deliveries of the world’s first towards-zero stainless steel. Outokumpu Circle Green®, with up to a 93% lower carbon footprint than the industry average*, will be used to produce medium-voltage switchgear. The collaboration supports both companies in reaching their ambitious climate targets.
Heikki Malinen, President and CEO at Outokumpu, and Mark Backhaus, Head of Factory at Siemens’ Frankfurt switchgear factory.
“The rising energy demand and future of green solutions are dependent on sustainable stainless steel. By transitioning to renewable energy and investing in low-carbon technologies and materials today, we can fight climate change. Our spearhead climate solution, Circle Green, enables green energy transition and brings a true opportunity to transform various industries. We are proud to join forces with Siemens, who shows the way towards a low-emission future,” says Niklas Wass, President, Stainless Europe business line Outokumpu.
Recognizing that the urgent need for decarbonization and increased electrification requires sustainable solutions, Siemens is committed to using sustainable stainless steel for medium-voltage switchgear for electric cabinets in wind turbines.
“As industries around the world look to reduce carbon emissions to reach ambitious net-zero targets, sustainable steel has a huge potential. In Outokumpu we have found an organization dedicated to accelerating the industrial decarbonization of stainless-steel production,” said Stephan May, CEO of Electrification and Automation at Siemens Smart Infrastructure. “By utilizing sustainable materials in our Electrification and Automation portfolio, we are frontrunners in driving a responsible approach to industry progress.”
Massive emission reduction potential with towards-zero stainless steel
Circle Green production was the first of its kind globally, as no other stainless steel manufacturer has been able to produce stainless steel with such low emission levels when taking into account all the climate emissions from raw material extraction throughout the whole production chain. To produce Circle Green and to reach up to a 93% lower carbon footprint, Outokumpu uses 100% low-carbon electricity, low-carbon raw materials, such as recycled steel, and reinvented production processes.
If all the stainless steel in the world was produced with the same methods as used for Circle Green production, it would reduce global carbon emissions from the entire stainless steel value chain by 364 million tons per year. This equals over 900 million one-way flights of one passenger across the Atlantic Ocean from London to New York.
*) Global average CO₂ emissions (2023): 7 kg CO₂e per kg of stainless steel (Outokumpu’s calculation based on data provided by CRU and worldstainless). Outokumpu Circle Green CO₂ emissions: down to 0.5 kg CO₂e per kg of stainless steel.
Read more: Reduce your carbon footprint with Outokumpu Circle Green | Outokumpu
For more information:
Outokumpu media: Päivi Allenius, VP – Communications & Brand, tel. +358 40 753 7374 or Outokumpu media desk, +358 40 351 9840, media(at)outokumpu.com
Siemens media: Jessica Humphrey, Media Relations, tel. +44 7921 728517 or jessica.humphrey@siemens.com
Outokumpu in brief
Outokumpu is the global leader in stainless steel. The foundation of our business is our ability to tailor stainless steel into any form and for almost any purpose. Stainless steel is sustainable, durable and designed to last forever. Our customers use it to create civilization’s basic structures and its most famous landmarks as well as products for households and various industries. Outokumpu employs approximately 8,500 professionals in close to 30 countries, with headquarters in Helsinki, Finland and shares listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.
Siemens in brief
Siemens Smart Infrastructure (SI) is shaping the market for intelligent, adaptive infrastructure for today and the future. It addresses the pressing challenges of urbanization and climate change by connecting energy systems, buildings and industries. SI provides customers with a comprehensive end-to-end portfolio from a single source – with products, systems, solutions and services from the point of power generation all the way to consumption. With an increasingly digitalized ecosystem, it helps customers thrive and communities progress while contributing toward protecting the planet. Siemens Smart Infrastructure has its global headquarters in Zug, Switzerland. As of September 30, 2023, the business had around 75,000 employees worldwide.
Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a leading technology company focused on industry, infrastructure, transport, and healthcare. From more resource-efficient factories, resilient supply chains, and smarter buildings and grids, to cleaner and more comfortable transportation as well as advanced healthcare, the company creates technology with purpose adding real value for customers. By combining the real and the digital worlds, Siemens empowers its customers to transform their industries and markets, helping them to transform the everyday for billions of people. Siemens also owns a majority stake in the publicly listed company Siemens Healthineers, a globally leading medical technology provider shaping the future of healthcare.
In fiscal 2023, which ended on September 30, 2023, the Siemens Group generated revenue of €77.8 billion and net income of €8.5 billion. As of September 30, 2023, the company employed around 320,000 people worldwide. Further information is available on the Internet at www.siemens.com.
