FAQ - Frequently asked questions

No. Outokumpu Circle Green® offers the same mechanical properties, high quality and durability as conventional stainless steel. Corrosion resistance and strength meet the standard specifications for the respective material (e.g. 1.4301), as the chemical composition and production standards remain unchanged. Even with drastically reduced CO₂ emissions, there are no compromises when it comes to material properties – Circle Green® is durable, corrosion-resistant and optimally workable.

You can use this material in all your usual applications without compromising on functionality or safety.

Yes. The workability and machining possibilities of Circle Green® correspond to those of conventional stainless steels. Cutting (e.g. laser cutting or plasma cutting), edging, forming and welding can be carried out using the same processes and parameters as standard stainless steel of the same quality. As Circle Green® is basically the same material (e.g. 304/1.4301), only with a more sustainable manufacturing process, there are no differences in processing behaviour. This has also been confirmed by practical tests and customers in sheet metal processing – the material is “optimally workable” and fits seamlessly into existing production processes.

The stock portfolio currently focuses on the austenitic standard material 1.4301/1.4307 (stainless steel 304/304 L) in typical sheet formats and thicknesses. These sheets are ground on one side (4N) and provided with protective film. Other alloys are also available from the Service Center – such as 1.4404 (316 L) and 1.4509 (ferritic steel) in various thicknesses with 2B surfaces and dry ground.

From new production, additional materials and dimensions can be supplied on request, be it as sheet metal, coil or slit strip. The range is constantly being expanded so that even more stainless steel grades in the Circle Green® variant can be expected in the future.

Yes. Outokumpu Circle Green® is verified by third parties as a sustainable stainless steel product.

Outokumpu is the world’s first stainless steel manufacturer to provide a product carbon footprint statement for Circle Green® that is based on an externally tested methodology. The CO₂ data has been checked and validated by TÜV Süd (in accordance with ISO 14067), which underlines the credibility of the data. Every order for Circle Green® is delivered with a specific CO₂ certificate: The specific CO₂ value (kg CO₂ per kg steel) of the batch delivered is printed on the acceptance test certificate (certificate 3.1). In addition, Outokumpu issues a separate certificate showing the percentage of CO₂ reduction compared to the reference value and the total emissions saved as a result of the order. This transparency and third-party confirmation give customers the assurance that the stated CO₂ savings are genuine and reliable – not “greenwashing” but verified facts.

Sustainability is playing an increasingly important role in public tenders (IW: “Öffentliche Ausschreibungen können CO2-Ausstoß verringern” – Vergabeblog). In Switzerland, the revised PPA (Public Procurement Act) allows clients to take into account ESG (environmental, social, governance) criteria in addition to price and quality.

A product like Outokumpu Circle Green® can offer a clear advantage here: Thanks to its TÜV-certified low carbon footprint, it meets demanding environmental requirements and can earn additional points in the area of climate protection, for example. Life cycle assessment data in the construction sector is an indispensable tool for assessing the environmental impact of construction products and processes. Circle Green® performs particularly well here. In public construction projects where CO₂ limits or minimum proportions of “green steel” could be required, Circle Green® enables the tendering company to submit a compliant and beneficial offer. 

In a nutshell: with Circle Green®, a demonstrable contribution can be made to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which can be considered a plus or even a prerequisite for sustainable tenders. Companies are thus better positioned if environmental friendliness is assessed in the procurement process.

As a rule, yes – a moderate surcharge is to be expected.

As an innovative product with more complex production (e.g. use of biogas, green electricity and special raw material purchases), Circle Green® carries what is known as a “Green Steel Premium”, which reflects the additional costs of decarbonisation. 

What is important to note: sustainability and cost-effectiveness are not mutually exclusive (“EU customers paying green stainless steel premium”: Outokumpu CFO – EUROMETAL). The additional costs can be offset by benefits such as better positioning for orders, compliance with ESG requirements and possibly lower CO₂ taxes in the future. With rising demand and larger production volumes, prices will also come closer to conventional stainless steel in the future.

By using Circle Green®, customers can significantly improve their own carbon footprints. In particular, Scope 3 emissions (upstream emissions from purchased materials) can be reduced, as purchased steel has a much smaller footprint. This helps companies achieve their climate goals and can be positively reported in sustainability reports and ESG metrics. For example, you can claim the use of Circle Green® directly in your CO₂ reporting in accordance with the GHG Protocol as a reduction in emissions, as several tonnes of CO₂ are saved per tonne of stainless steel compared to standard materials. 

Circle Green® also provides a competitive advantage: your products or projects can be actively promoted with a lower carbon footprint, which is a plus for environmentally conscious customers, investors or tenders. In markets that are increasingly paying attention to sustainability, Circle Green® sets you apart from the competition.

In short, you benefit in three ways: you reduce your indirect CO₂ emissions, meet ESG requirements more easily, and strengthen your green image and market position through forward-looking actions.

Circle Green® can basically be used in all areas where conventional stainless steel is used – without restrictions. However, the product is particularly interesting for industries and projects that attach great importance to sustainability or have strict environmental requirements. 

Examples: Construction sector and architecture, such as facades, load-bearing structures and infrastructure, where environmentally friendly building materials are in demand. Medical technology and pharmaceutical facilities that increasingly pay attention to sustainable supply chains can use Circle Green® without compromising on high purity and quality standards. Mechanical and plant engineering also benefit, as they can offer their customers CO₂-optimised machines. In the transport and automotive sectors (e.g. rail vehicles, electric car components), the low footprint can contribute to environmental goals. 

Companies in sheet metal processing, stamping and forming technology, kitchen construction, and apparatus and metal construction now have the opportunity to manufacture their products with low-carbon stainless steel. 

In a nutshell: whether in building construction, consumer goods (kitchen appliances), in the energy sector or in public projects – Circle Green® is suitable wherever stainless steel is required and where there is also a focus on climate protection and ESG. It is a 1:1 alternative to standard stainless steel for future-oriented users.

Although many low-carbon stainless steels on the market rely on more environmentally friendly manufacturing processes, they differ significantly in the depth and transparency of their measures:

• Some products only have flat-rate CO₂ values that refer to the average values of a product group or plant – without reference to a specific batch or delivery.
• For certain offers, the stated CO₂ reduction is partly based on offsetting models or mass balancing processes (e.g. through certificates or guarantees of origin) without any actual reduction in physical emissions.
• Although some manufacturers use recycled materials and green electricity, they ignore critical process steps such as transport or raw material extraction or do not declare these transparently.
• Finally, many products lack external testing by independent bodies or a clearly comprehensible product carbon footprint in accordance with established standards such as ISO 14067 or the GHG Protocol.

These differences are critical for companies that value credible, demonstrable and practicable sustainability – be it in reporting, ESG audits or public tenders.

Yes, the 3.1 certificate shows the carbon footprint of the standard product – stated as a rolling 12-month average per grade. This value is based on standardised data and serves as a general guide. For products from the Circle Green® range, customers also receive a separate certificate stating the actual CO₂ value of the batch ordered.

Although this duplicate documentation may seem somewhat cumbersome at present, it is technically necessary – because not all production and consumption data can be recorded and assigned in real time. However, the separate verification guarantees maximum precision and traceability: every tonne of Circle Green® is clearly documented with its individual CO₂ profile.

You then have reliable data at your fingertips for your quality documentation, audits (e.g. according to ISO 14064/14067) or ESG reports. This practice makes it easier to verify environmentally friendly materials – whether in internal sustainability reports or vis-à-vis external testing bodies.

In a nutshell: the carbon footprint is documented transparently – as an average value in the 3.1 certificate and as an exact value on the Circle Green® certificate from the manufacturer Outokumpu.

Even without formal climate targets, the use of Circle Green® can bring strategic benefits.

You show customers, partners and employees that your company is forward-looking and assumes environmental responsibility – an increasingly important distinguishing feature in many sectors. In addition, the use of low-carbon materials strengthens your competitiveness in tenders, in customer sustainability ratings and in the supply chain.

Circle Green® is thus not only an ecological material, but also a communicative and economically relevant one – even if you do not have ESG requirements.

Yes. Circle Green® helps you prepare your company for upcoming requirements at an early stage, such as legal changes, customer requirements or supply chain standards.

At the same time, the use has a positive effect on your company image and customer perception. In sectors with an increasing focus on sustainability, this can open the door to new projects or strengthen the trust of existing customers. This creates a competitive advantage without making operational changes, because Circle Green® can be used just like conventional stainless steel – with added value.