Outokumpu, supplier of sustainable stainless steel, has partnered with Tetra Pak, food processing and packaging company. In the future, Outokumpu will supply low-emission stainless steel for the production of food and beverage processing machines.
With its Outokumpu Circle Green® stainless steel, the company has a significantly lower carbon footprint than the global industry average. For Tetra Paks homogenizers in Europe, this will be available as an option on all models from June 2024. The strategic collaboration is intended to explore further possible uses of Circle Green in Tetra Pak's asset portfolio and to better prepare food and beverage manufacturers for the EU Green Deal.
“The future of low-emission solutions depends heavily on sustainable stainless steel. Global demand for steel is increasing, while the steel industry as a whole is responsible for 7-9% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Stainless steel plays a critical role in accelerating the green transition, and the food and beverage industry is a good example of how low-emission steel can have a significant impact. We are proud to partner with Tetra Pak on this transformative initiative and look forward to delivering and developing more sustainable solutions that facilitate decarbonization across the value chain. The collaboration with Tetra Pak is another concrete step towards a better future,” explains Niklas Wass, Executive Vice President for Stainless Europe at Outokumpu.
Circle Green is produced at the Outokumpu factory in Tornio, Finland and then supplied by Tetra Pak to homogenizer housing suppliers in Denmark and Sweden. Once manufactured, the housings are shipped to Lund, Sweden, where many of Tetra Pak's homogenizers are assembled. By using Circle Green, Tetra Pak creates a more sustainable offering for climate-conscious partners in its value chain, and the machines with low-emission stainless steel housings can be delivered to customers worldwide.
Stainless steel as a key element
Globally, food processing plants are responsible for over a third of greenhouse gas emissions. In this industry, a lot depends on the homogenization process. When processing milk, the homogenizer breaks down the fat globules into smaller components, creating a more stable solution that prevents creaming and improves texture, taste and shelf life.
The stainless steel in homogenizers not only reduces emissions, but is also an essential material for the food processing industry. It is corrosion-resistant, has a smooth surface and is easy to clean. This guarantees longevity and hygiene – two indispensable properties in food processing.
“Innovation is at the heart of our corporate philosophy and our sustainability approach. The addition of Circle Green to our product portfolio is an important step in leveraging the latest innovations to improve our upstream emissions. The collaboration is designed to help Tetra Pak and our customers achieve individual sustainability goals and is fundamental to our promise to protect the good,” explains Fiona Liebehenz, Vice President of Key Components Plant Solutions and Channel Management at Tetra Pak.
Low-emission stainless steel
The production of Outokumpu Circle Green is a global innovation in the production of low-emission stainless steel. To produce Circle Green and achieve up to 93% lower carbon footprint, Outokumpu uses 100% low-carbon electricity, low-carbon raw materials such as recycled steel and optimized manufacturing processes.