FOCUS ON MATERIALS
Above: Outokumpu and Alstom are partnering in the supply of low-emission stainless steel for metro cars.
the biggest for us in the mobility sector and is due to be used in a first metro car project in Europe,” said Rolf Schencking, President for Business Line Advanced Materials, Outokumpu.
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”, added Véronique Andriès, Sustainability and CSR Vice President, Alstom.
“ Outokumpu Circle Green ® was the first innovation of its kind on a global scale with such a low carbon footprint and with a productspecific 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,” outlined Outokumpu.
Supply disruption by tariffs / geopolitics
Outokumpu’ s new White Paper also reveals how recent tariff rounds and geopolitical tensions are altering stainless steel procurement strategies globally. It draws on insights from the global survey it conducted in May 2025, during the initial wave of widespread tariffs introduced under the first few months of the U. S. administration— a period that marked a significant shift in global trade dynamics.
“ The findings show that one in three organisations have paused or delayed stainless steel orders due to tariff upheaval— raising concerns about the progression of major infrastructure projects globally. Over half of the respondents are now re-evaluating their entire sourcing strategy, and 30 % have already switched suppliers in response to shifting trade conditions,” said Outokumpu.
Image: © ALSTOM SA 2023. Advanced & Creative Design.
“ The survey also reveals regional differences in response strategies. North American companies have been more reactive, with many locking in long-term prices to hedge against volatility. In contrast, European respondents were more likely to build up inventory, aiming to buffer against future disruptions,” it added.
“ Tariffs and geopolitical shifts are doing more than unsettling markets— they’ re forcing many industries to rethink materials sourcing. Ongoing uncertainty and shifting regulation are causing disruption. Policymakers globally must act to safeguard vital infrastructure projects and prevent further delays. A convergence of political, environmental and economic pressures means a much bigger role for the material in the built environment looking forward”, said Kati ter Horst, President & CEO,
Kati ter Horst, President & CEO, Outokumpu.
Outokumpu.
“ Despite short-term caution, two in three respondents anticipate higher stainless-steel intake over the next five years, with one in three predicting a‘ significant’ rise. Even on a twelve-month horizon, just under half the sample expect volumes to tick up,” continued Outokumpu.
The mid-to-long-term demand surge is driven by stainless steel’ s expanding role beyond traditional niche industries. Climate change, rapid urban growth and tighter environmental regulations are key catalysts.
“ More extreme temperatures, flooding and other weather events are placing infrastructure under unprecedented strain, making stainless steel’ s corrosion resistance and strength more valuable than ever— from use for bridges and coastal defences to tunnels and skyscrapers. Its recyclability and long lifecycle reinforce its role in building resilient, low-impact infrastructure,” concluded Outokumpu. n
Note: * The survey included single-choice, open-ended and Likert-scale items. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected and analysed by Kairos Future, yielding 49 completed responses( 70 % response rate). Geographically, respondents break down into Europe( 41 %), United States( 24 %) and those operating globally( 35 %).
EDITOR’ S NOTE
The full White Paper,‘ The Evolution of Materials: Stainless Steel Insights 2025’, is available on http:// bit. ly / 3WgY1tF
Stainless steel metal powder for AM
Outokumpu entered the metal powder market for additive manufacturing in 2023.
In May 2025, its commercial production phase expanded into the aerospace and aviation industry, as it delivered the“ industry-first” batch of a new stainless steel powder grade for a 3D printing application.
A jointly engineered heat exchange component for the aerospace sector, subject to prototype validation, supports the company’ s primary focus on producing metal powders that are not yet on the market and are suitable for companies that use technologies to produce parts for demanding specialty applications.
The spherical stainless steel powder for the aerospace and aviation industry is refined with specific alloy additives to make it a high-performance austenitic stainless steel powder. The solution is an alternative to nickel-based alloys in highly demanding 3D printed applications and has been developed to meet Outokumpu’ s customer requests for components in small quantities and with shorter development cycles.
“ We have been ideating medicalgrade powder specifications for the health-tech applications, dedicated to the development of nickel-free materials. Such a material grade can also be used in jewellery e. g. nickel-free stainless steel earrings or watches. In addition, we are working on developing heat-resistant alloys for additively manufactured components such as turbines or for use in power plants,” said Marten Franz, Head of Metal Powder Business, Outokumpu.
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