Outokumpu inaugurates plant for acid regeneration in Sweden

PRESS RELEASE
25 May 2011 at 9.00 am EET

The state-of-the-art plant for acid regeneration at Outokumpu in Avesta, Sweden, is inaugurated by the county governor of the province Dalarna, Maria Norrfalk, today. Thanks to new processes for recycling, the nitrate emissions to the river Dalälven can be reduced to one third of previous levels.

"Up to 90% of Outokumpu's stainless special grades are made out of recycled steel. The environmental aspects of our operations are very important to us and our stakeholders", says Jacob Sandberg, Site Manager at Outokumpu in Avesta.

In the regeneration plant, the acid used in the annealing and pickling line is recycled. Pickling is the process in the production that gives the surface we associate with stainless steel. The very energy-saving recycling process is based on filtration. Over 95% of the acid can now be reused in the production, which reduces the use of new acid dramatically. The plant also separates metals that are reused as raw material in the steelworks. This means that less waste have to be sent to landfill.

The project was started in March 2009. The investment totalled EUR 28 million.

For more information, please contact:

Jacob Sandberg, Site Manager Outokumpu Avesta Works, tel. +46 226 810 01

Jonas Nordlöf, Project Manager, tel. +46 226 819 72

Elisabeth Hansson, Communications Manager, tel. +46 226 826 51, mobile +46 76 760 60 20

OUTOKUMPU OYJ

Outokumpu is a global leader in stainless steel with the vision to be the undisputed number one. Customers in a wide range of industries use our stainless steel and services worldwide. Being fully recyclable, maintenance-free, as well as very strong and durable material, stainless steel is one of the key building blocks for sustainable future. Outokumpu employs some 8 000 people in more than 30 countries. The Group's head office is located in Espoo, Finland. Outokumpu is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki.
www.outokumpu.com