Outokumpu, a global leader in sustainable stainless steel, and Alstom, a global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, have entered a partnership for the supply of Outokumpu Circle Green®, stainless steel with up to 93% lower carbon footprint compared to the global industry average*. The first delivery is scheduled for 2026 and will be used in the latest generation of the Alstom Metropolis metro cars**. The partnership supports both companies’ ambitious climate targets and SBTi commitment and contributes to Europe’s goal of becoming climate-neutral by 2050.
“Remaining competitive and accelerating the green transition is fundamental to Europe’s future. Stainless steel is the most versatile industrial material, heavily needed for transportation solutions to reduce emissions and playing a vital part also for innovation and technological progress. Europe needs frontrunner companies throughout the value chain to drive the green transition forward. We are excited to take the next step with Alstom to support our customers’ decarbonization journey. The Circle Green contract with Alstom is volume-wise the biggest for us in the mobility sector and is due to be used in a first metro car project in Europe”, says Rolf Schencking, President for Business Line Advanced Materials at Outokumpu.
Innovative solutions to decarbonize public transport
With rapidly evolving demographics and consequent growing urbanization, transport systems are redesigned to meet the increasing demand for both mobility and low carbon footprint. The collaboration between Outokumpu and Alstom supports Alstom’s goal to reduce emissions from procured goods and services with 30% by 2030. It will enable Alstom to integrate a higher steel scrap content rate in its products.
“Outokumpu’s Circle Green will be used for the outer layer of the metro cars. Our partnership is fully in line with the eco-design process we have applied for years for the design of our products and services. Using stainless steel with lower carbon emissions compared to standard steel, will contribute in our efforts to significantly reduce our CO2 emissions”, says Véronique Andriès, Sustainability and CSR Vice President at Alstom.
Outokumpu Circle Green® was the first innovation of its kind on a global scale with such a low carbon footprint and with a product-specific footprint calculation for every delivery. Today, more than 40 leading companies from various industry sectors in Europe and Asia are using this solution to reduce their carbon footprint.
*) Global average carbon footprint of stainless steel (2024): 7 kg CO2e per kg of stainless steel (Outokumpu’s calculation based on data provided by CRU, worldstainless and Kobolde & Partners AB). Outokumpu Circle Green CO2 emissions: down to 0.5 kilos of CO2e per kg of stainless steel. For the specific Alstom collaboration, Outokumpu Circle Green reached a reduction of up to a minimum of 85% lower carbon footprint compared to the global industry average, without compromising the superior stainless steel product features.
**) ALSTOM™ and Metropolis™ are protected trademarks of the Alstom Group.
