Operating environment
The consumption of stainless steel has during the last decades been growing more rapidly than any other metal in the world. Outokumpu is one of the largest producers of stainless steel and is widely recognised as a world leader in technical support, research and development.
According to the current strategic phase, Outokumpu is increasing the share of special grades and special products in its product mix.
The global stainless steel market totals 25 million tonnes or some EUR 50 billion. During the last twenty years, consumption has grown at a rate of 4–5% per annum. In Europe (western), the Group's main market area, the market totalled 3.1 million tonnes in 2009. The European consumption has grown by some 2% annually, but declined sharply in 2009 due to the economic slowdown. In recent years, the largest growth globally has occurred in China with an average growth rate of over 10% annually.
Outokumpu is one of the world's largest producers of stainless steel with main production facilities located in Finland, Sweden, the UK, the US and the Netherlands. Outokumpu's melting capacity totals 2.55 million tonnes and the finished products capacity for cold rolled material and white hot strip is 1.6 million tonnes. Outokumpu also has annual production capacity of 0.3 million tonnes of long products and plate.
In global terms, Outokumpu's biggest site, Tornio Works in Finland, is one of the world's most cost-efficient and the most integrated single-site stainless steel production facilities. At Tornio Works in Finland, Outokumpu produces mainly high volume standard grades of stainless steel while the Avesta integration in Sweden is focusing more on customer tailored special grades and products.
Outokumpu has a 18% share of the stainless steel coil market in Europe and a 5% share worldwide. Outokumpu's main markets are Europe (74% of sales in 2009), Asia (14%) and North and South America (10%).
| Estimated slab capacity, million tonnes | 2009 | 2011 |
| Acerinox, Spain | 3.24 | 3.32 |
| ArcelorMittal, The Netherlands | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| ThyssenKrupp, Germany | 2.90 | 3.53 |
| POSCO, South Korea | 2.80 | 2.80 |
| TISCO, China | 2.60 | 2.60 |
| Outokumpu, Finland | 2.55 | 2.55 |
| YUSCO, Taiwan | 1.98 | 1.98 |
