Alstom and Outokumpu in partnership for the supply of low-emission stainless steel for metro cars

Alstom, global leader in smart and sustainable mobility and Outokumpu, a global leader in sustainable stainless steel, have entered a partnership for the supply of stainless steel with up to 93% lower carbon footprint compared to the global industry average[1]. The first delivery of Outokumpu Circle Green^® stainless steel is scheduled for 2026 and will be used in the latest generation of the Alstom Metropolis metro trains. The collaboration aligns with Alstom’s eco-design principles as well as its sustainable procurement strategy, which targets a 30% reduction in carbon emissions from purchased goods and services by 2030.

With rapidly evolving demographics and consequent growing urbanisation, transport systems are redesigned to both meet the increasing demand for both mobility and low carbon footprint.

The collaboration with Outokumpu supports Alstom’s goal to reduce emissions from procured goods and services with 30% by 2030. It will enable the company to integrate a higher steel scrap content rate in its products. “Outokumpu’s Circle Green stainless steel will be used for the outer layer of Alstom Metropolis metro cars. Our partnership is fully in line with the eco-design process we have applied for years for the design of our products and services. Using stainless steel with lower carbon emissions compared to standard steel will contribute in our efforts to significantly reduce our CO₂ emissions”, says Véronique Andriès, Sustainability and CSR Vice President at Alstom.

“Remaining competitive and accelerating the green transition is fundamental to the mobility of future. Stainless steel is the most versatile industrial material, heavily needed for transportation solutions to reduce emissions and playing a vital part also for innovation and technological progress. Europe needs frontrunner companies throughout the value chain to drive the green transition forward. We are excited to take the next step with Alstom to support our customers’ decarbonisation journey. The Circle Green contract with Alstom is volume-wise the biggest for us in the mobility sector and is due to be used in a first metro train project in Europe,” says Rolf Schencking, President for Business Line Advanced Materials at Outokumpu.

ALSTOM™ and Metropolis™ are protected trademarks of the Alstom Group.

[1] Global average carbon footprint of stainless steel (2024): 7 kg CO₂e per kg of stainless steel (Outokumpu’s calculation based on data provided by CRU, worldstainless and Kobolde & Partners AB). Outokumpu Circle Green CO₂ emissions: down to 0.5 kilos of CO₂e per kg of stainless steel. For the specific Alstom collaboration, Outokumpu Circle Green reached a reduction of up to a minimum of 85% lower carbon footprint compared to the global industry average, without compromising the superior stainless steel product features.

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