Industry-leading innovations

Ferrochrome

Looking for low-emission ferrochrome mined in the EU? We help customers achieve up to 78% lower emissions compared to the global average. Take advantage of our externally verified product carbon footprint offering and avoid CBAM costs with no compromise on quality.

An essential raw ingredient

What is Ferrochrome?

Ferrochrome (FeCr) is a ferro alloy of iron (Fe) and chromium (Cr). It is the essential raw ingredient for stainless steel and other alloys. Produced through the ferrochrome smelting process, it originates from chromite, a mineral containing chrome and iron oxide.

Around 80% of the world’s ferrochrome is used in stainless steel production – where it provides the chrome that gives stainless steel its corrosion-resistant properties, while the remainder is critical for special steels and superalloys, amongst other applications.

Value-adding benefits for you

Passing on unique sustainability and efficiency benefits to our customers

By partnering with Outokumpu for your ferrochrome requirements, you'll benefit from our longstanding commitment to the highest quality chrome ore mining and processing practices, and ongoing sustainability commitments that are externally verified and continually updated.

Outokumpu's product carbon footprint service, which measures a product's emissions from cradle to gate, is calculated in accordance with ISO 14067 and has been validated by TÜV SÜD Industrie Service GmbH. This ensures accuracy when calculating contributions towards your sustainability targets, and highlights our commitment to passing on greater efficiency and improved competitiveness to our customers.

“Outokumpu low-emission ferrochrome is our spearhead solution to support the green transition where carbon footprint can be pushed even lower by replacing fossil coke with biocoke. The emission reduction depends on the ratio between fossil coke and biocoke used. Outokumpu is committed to helping its customers to reduce their climate emissions, and low-emission ferrochrome together with the product carbon footprint reporting enables our customers to lower their carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future.”

Martti Sassi, President, Business Area Ferrochrome, Outokumpu.

Vertically integrated mining and processing

How the Kemi chrome mine & Tornio smelting facility help you save

Globally, most chromite – the base material for ferrochrome production, is sourced from South Africa, Kazakhstan, and India. To begin the ferrochrome smelting process, it must imported into the EU.

The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, or CBAM, is a tool implemented by the EU to put a fair price on the carbon emitted during the production of carbon intensive goods that are entering the EU, and to encourage cleaner industrial production in non-EU countries.

For ferrochrome customers, this can mean added tariffs that reduce competitiveness.

Outokumpu’s Kemi mine is the only chrome mine in the EU, and it is a vital strategic asset for European and global markets. Kemi's use as a source of chrome ore bypasses costs incurred by CBAM, helping our customers improve their competitive edge and save on emissions. Furthermore, it allows us to maintain a close eye on your product, reducing the risk of disruptions to or delays during delivery.

Combined with the Tornio smelting facility, where molten ferrochrome can be processed just 25 kilometres from Kemi, meaning reductions in energy and transportation costs – Outokumpu's supply chain is streamlined for efficiency.

Key milestone in Kemi's roadmap to carbon neutrality

Replacing fossil fuels with biofuels in 2023 and cutting annual emissions by 11.3 million kilograms.

Transitioning to carbon-free electricity.

Using biogas in transportation, machinery and heating.

Expanding the electrification of mining machinery to minimize fuel use.

ENSURING PCF ACCURACY

How is product carbon footprint calculated at Outokumpu?

A product carbon footprint (PCF) is the total greenhouse gas emissions associated with a product across its full life cycle, expressed as kilograms of CO2. For Outokumpu low-emission Ferrochrome, this covers chromite extraction and processing, smelting and refining, energy used in production, transport of materials and finished goods, impacts during use in stainless steelmaking where relevant, and end-of-life pathways such as recycling or reuse.

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