Close involvement with research

Outokumpu invested EUR 19 million in research and development in 2009 (2008: EUR 20 million and 2007: EUR 18 million). Research activities are conducted by the Group in collaboration with customers, research institutes and universities as well as independently. Both research and students are also supported by two Outokumpu-related foundations, the Outokumpu Stainless Research Foundation in Sweden and the Technology Industries of Finland Centennial Foundation Fund for the Association of Finnish Steel and Metal Producers.

Joint R&D projects with research institutes and universities are conducted within national and European research programmes. Outokumpu is a shareholder in two Finland-based strategic centres for science, technology and innovation: the Finnish Metals and Engineering Competence Cluster (FIMECC Ltd) and the Cluster for Energy and Environment (CLEEN Ltd). During 2009, Outokumpu had an active role in launching first research programmes of FIMECC, and is now participating in three extensive five-year research programmes: Light and Efficient Solutions, Demanding Applications, and Energy & Life-cycle Efficient Metal Processes. The focus in these programmes is on long-term research into life-cycle-efficient and sustainable steel products, applications and production processes.

Two patent applications for new inventions associated with stainless steel raw materials and welding were submitted by the Group during 2009.

Working with other stainless steel producers in the ISSF (International Stainless Steel Forum) Outokumpu contributes to global statistics, runs joint research programmes in pre-competitive product and application development areas and produces data and evidence regarding the environmental effects of stainless steel. In recent years, a substantial amount of effort has been put into proving that the levels at which constituent elements of stainless steel are released into foodstuffs and human body fluids is extremely low. The use of slag products and improvements in the properties of such materials have also been topical subjects. Working together with associations of key raw material producers, the use of new production routes that would result in reduced quantities of greenhouse gases being emitted has been investigated.

As a ferrochromium producer, Outokumpu is a member of the International Chromium Development Association (ICDA). In addition to producing statistics, the focus of associated activities has been firmly on demonstrating that the production and use of both metallic chromium and chromium-containing alloys results in no harmful effects on human health or the natural environment. ICDA made an extensive contribution by establishing a consortium for ferrochromium which produced data for REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals regulations).

Tornio is currently engaged in a research project titled "Respiratory symptoms caused by chromium compounds, ultra-fine particles and other exposures in the workplace air in the stainless steel production chain".

More about Outokumpu's research and development can be found here.