Outokumpu gets the first CARES certificate for sustainable reinforcing steel

Outokumpu has become the first stainless reinforcing steel producer to be granted by CARES a certificate for Sustainable Reinforcing Steel. The award was given to Outokumpu’s production unit in Sheffield, UK in February 2012.

Stainless steel has excellent properties enabling more sustainable solutions for the built environment. Green building systems are becoming more common and these schemes evolve towards more stringent requirements. Furthermore, customers and designers are increasingly asking for material and suppliers’ sustainability credentials.

CARES helps to communicate the exceptional sustainability performance of Outokumpu stainless steel reinforcement bar and contributes to the establishment of ever more sustainable construction. The CARES certification allows Outokumpu to offer stainless steel to a wider range of green specified building projects.

“Sustainability is an integral part of the decision-making process in today’s construction industry. Customers choose suppliers based on cost, schedule, quality and sustainability. The CARES certificate gives us a competitive advantage as we are the first stainless reinforcement bar producer to hold this certificate,” says Dr Stephen Jones from Outokumpu.

To achieve CARES Sustainable Reinforcing Steel certification, a producer’s quality and environmental management systems are assessed, as well as the company’s social responsibility and sustainable sourcing practices.

“During the certification process, Outokumpu was very committed and obviously highly aware of sustainability issues, both environmental and social”, says Lee Brankley, Operations Manager, UK CARES.

The CARES Sustainable Reinforcing Steel certification scheme meets the requirements of British Standard BS 8902:2009 as well as a number of private and public sector sustainability initiatives. UK-based CARES is also used widely in other areas, such as Hong Kong and the Middle East.

For further information, please contact

Murray Adair, General Manager - Sales and Development, Outokumpu Stainless Ltd., murray.adair@outokumpu.com

Stephen Jones, Product & Market Development Manager, Outokumpu Stainless Ltd., tel. +44 114 261 6129, stephen.jones@outokumpu.com

OUTOKUMPU OYJ

Outokumpu is a global leader in stainless steel with the vision to be the undisputed number one. Customers in a wide range of industries use our stainless steel and services worldwide. Being fully recyclable, maintenance-free, as well as very strong and durable material, stainless steel is one of the key building blocks for sustainable future. Outokumpu employs some 8 000 people in more than 30 countries. The Group’s head office is located in Espoo, Finland. Outokumpu is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki.www.outokumpu.com