Sustainability
Outokumpu opens biocoke plant in Tornio to cut carbon emissions
The new plant processes biochar into biocoke, which can be used in ferrochrome production as a replacement for fossil coke
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By ICN Bureau | August 17, 2026
Outokumpu inaugurates new agglomeration plant for biocoke in Tornio as part of its climate targets
Outokumpu has inaugurated a new biocoke agglomeration plant in Finland's Tornio, in a major step in its drive to replace fossil coke with biomass-based fuel in ferrochrome production.
The approximately EUR 30 million investment is designed to cut the company’s direct carbon dioxide emissions and accelerate the development of low-carbon stainless steel production.
The new plant processes biochar into biocoke, which can be used in ferrochrome production as a replacement for fossil coke. At full production capacity, the facility could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 82,000 tonnes a year — equivalent to the annual emissions of around 8,000 Finnish citizens.
The investment forms part of Outokumpu’s broader sustainability strategy and its target of cutting carbon dioxide emissions across its value chain by 42% by 2030 from a 2016 baseline. The company sees biocoke as a key tool for reducing the carbon intensity of its direct emissions.
“This investment is a concrete step forward in our efforts to reduce the climate impact of our operations. Biocoke production has already started in Tornio, and biocoke has been produced both for our own use and for external customers,” says Juha Erkkilä, Head of Outokumpu EvoCarbon.
The Tornio site, one of the world’s most efficient integrated stainless steel production complexes, is central to Outokumpu’s efforts to lower the carbon footprint of its operations.
The company says its ferrochrome already has a carbon footprint 67% lower than the industry average. The new agglomeration plant is intended to push that advantage further, while strengthening Outokumpu’s position in low-carbon stainless steel and ferrochrome production.
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