thyssenkrupp and Outokumpu Debut UK’s First Low-Emission Stainless Steel

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This milestone marks the largest contractual Outokumpu Circle Green ® order in the UK market

thyssenkrupp Materials UK, part of the Solutions business at thyssenkrupp Materials Services, a global leader in materials distribution and services, and global stainless steel leader Outokumpu have successfully completed the first and largest UK supply of Outokumpu Circle Green®, the world’s first near-zero emission stainless steel, for use in the construction and architectural engineering sector in Europe. The order represents a major milestone for more sustainable materials for the UK market.

Outokumpu Circle Green® is the company’s most advanced product in low-carbon footprint stainless steel production, delivering up to 93% lower carbon footprint compared to the global industry average*. Manufactured using a combination of recycled content, low-carbon energy sources, and efficient production processes, Circle Green enables manufacturers to reduce Scope 3 emissions without compromising on performance, quality or traceability.

The stainless steel coils supplied under this agreement are slit to order at thyssenkrupp Materials UK’s coil processing facility in the Midlands before delivery to the EU, ensuring material is delivered precisely to customer specifications. Processing at source not only improves efficiency and lead times but also helps minimise waste, transport emissions, and overall environmental impact. The company’s aluminium and stainless steel service centre plays a critical role in supporting the construction and architectural engineering sectors, offering precision slitting, cut-to-length and traverse winding services, with high processing accuracy, and full material traceability. Modern equipment, digital systems, and sustainability initiatives have positioned thyssenkrupp Materials UK as a key enabler of low-carbon supply chains for demanding applications.

This order also marks the largest UK order for Outokumpu Circle Green®, totalling 220 tonnes. The agreement is part of thyssenkrupp Materials UK’s wider Greenability strategy – a business-wide approach that combines sustainability with economic viability. Greenability focuses on offering customers transparent, lower-carbon material options, enabling compliance with emerging regulations such as the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), while simultaneously improving efficiency, reducing waste, and providing full carbon transparency across the supply chain.

Billy Kingsbury, CEO at thyssenkrupp Materials UK, commented: “This is a significant milestone for us and for the wider market. Completing the first and largest UK supply of Outokumpu Circle Green® demonstrates that low-emission materials are no longer a future ambition, but a practical reality today. With EU CBAM commencing, this is absolutely the right step forward – not just from an environmental perspective, but also from an efficiency and cost standpoint. By reducing emissions at source, improving processing efficiency, and minimising waste, we are helping customers make smarter, more sustainable decisions across their supply chains. This is a proud moment for thyssenkrupp Materials UK and a strong signal of where the industry is heading.”

Reece Boardman, Key Account Manager at Outokumpu, added: “We are delighted to see Outokumpu Circle Green being adopted in the construction and architectural engineering sector through this partnership with thyssenkrupp Materials UK. This UK order highlights the growing demand for near-zero emission stainless steel and shows that sustainability and high-performance materials can go hand in hand. Working with a partner that has the processing capability, market reach, and sustainability ambition of thyssenkrupp Materials UK is key to accelerating the transition to low-carbon steel across the UK and Europe.”

This UK supply of Circle Green reinforces the shared commitment of thyssenkrupp Materials UK and Outokumpu to decarbonising the construction supply chain at a time when the sector is undergoing a fundamental transformation. Construction has become one of the fastest-moving industries in addressing environmental performance, driven by stricter regulation, investor scrutiny, and growing demand for low-carbon buildings and infrastructure. By supporting customers with fully traceable, verifiable low-emission stainless steel solutions, the two companies are enabling the shift toward smarter material choices, reduced embodied carbon, and more efficient supply chains, delivering tangible progress toward a more sustainable built environment across the UK and Europe.

About thyssennkrupp Materials UK

thyssenkrupp Materials UK offers a vast range of products and a wealth of experience in sourcing and supplying products such as stainless steel, aluminium and mild steel. The company also provides a range of services, whether that’s fully welded and fabricated finished parts or bespoke flat products cut to exact sizes. To help reduce inventory and costs, the company specialises in supply chain management and logistics solutions. For more information, visit: https://www.thyssenkrupp-materials.co.uk/ 

About Outokumpu

Outokumpu is accelerating the green transition as the global leader in sustainable stainless steel. Our business is based on the circular economy: our products are made from 95% recycled materials, which we then turn into fully recyclable stainless steel. This steel is utilized in various applications across society, including infrastructure, mobility, and household appliances. We are committed to 1.5°C target to mitigate climate change, and with up to 75% lower carbon footprint than the industry average, we support our customers to reduce their emissions. Together, we are working towards a world that lasts forever. Outokumpu Corporation employs approximately 8,700 professionals in close to 30 countries, with headquarters in Helsinki, Finland and shares listed in Nasdaq Helsinki. Read more: www.outokumpu.com 

* 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.


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