As a part of its ambitious climate actions, Outokumpu is planning an investment in a biocoke and biomethane plant at its stainless-steel production site in Tornio, Finland. This large-scale biocoke project has now proceeded to a phase where Outokumpu is applying for investment support totaling EUR 25 million. If realized, this project would significantly increase self-sufficiency in energy in Finland, and it also has the potential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 200,000 tonnes per year. This project significantly supports the Finnish and European energy and climate targets for 2030. “As the global leader in sustainable stainless steel, we actively look for new ways to reduce climate emissions. The new biocoke and biomethane plant would show that it is possible to produce a new raw material from the forest industry waste that is currently burned for low-efficient energy creation purposes. The new raw material, which is called biocoke, could replace the coke that we currently import and that is used as reductant in Outokumpu’s ferrochrome production process. The usage of forest waste instead of solid wood, like other manufacturers, and the ability to produce a significant amount of biomethane in that process shows the innovative capabilities of Outokumpu. The production of biomethane is enabling Outokumpu to become more independent of external fossil fuel sources,” says Juha Erkkilä, Outokumpu’s Head of Sustainability.
