Matthieu Jehl appointed president of Outokumpu’s Stainless Europe Business Line
Outokumpu Corporation has announced the appointment of Matthieu Jehl as President of its Stainless Europe business line. He will also join the Outokumpu Leadership Team, with his tenure set to begin no later than May 26, 2025.
Jehl brings extensive international experience in the steel industry, with a strong background in the European market. Prior to joining Outokumpu, he held various leadership positions at ArcelorMittal across multiple European locations and also served as President of the Energy division at John Cockerill.
Outokumpu President and CEO Kati ter Horst welcomed Jehl’s appointment, emphasizing his industry expertise and leadership skills.
“Matthieu has significant international experience and a deep understanding of the European steel market. His industry knowledge, combined with strong leadership capabilities, will be valuable to Outokumpu,” ter Horst stated.
Jehl expressed enthusiasm about his new role, highlighting Outokumpu’s position as a leader in sustainable stainless steel production.
“Leading the Stainless Europe business line is an exciting opportunity. Outokumpu’s commitment to sustainability and low-carbon stainless steel production is particularly meaningful to me. I look forward to contributing to the company at this crucial time for the European steel industry,” Jehl said.
In his new role, Jehl will report directly to ter Horst and will be based at Outokumpu’s office in Krefeld, Germany.
Source: outokumpu.com and marketsteel.com
Outokumpu says its low-carbon steel slashes emissions for its users
European and Asian companies using Outokumpu’s low-carbon stainless steel have collectively reduced carbon emissions by more than 50,000 mt, it said Dec. 10.
The Finnish company launched its Outokumpu Circle Green low-carbon stainless steel two years ago. The product has a carbon footprint equivalent to 7% of the global average, according to the company.
“Our efforts on achieving 95% recycling rate in our production, using low-emission electricity and producing our own ferrochrome underline the leadership position in sustainability,” Jorg Müller, head of sales for Stainless Europe at Outokumpu said. “The frontrunner companies have seen the business value of offering Circle Green to their customers through their solutions … We are confident that the growth will continue, and we are currently working on extending our low-emission stainless steel portfolio to be available early next year.”
Outokumpu’s public reference customers for Circle Green are Fiskars, Fissler, Zwilling, Siemens, Alfa Laval, Stahl Krebs, Purem, Boysen, Klockner, thyssenkrupp Materials Processing Europe, Lemvigh-Müller, Sermeta, Tetra Pak, Roba Metals, Schmidt Edelstahl, Meiller Aufzugsturen GmbH, Edilcam, Nordic Steel, Sverdrup Steel, OSTP, Ormazabal, Stala Tube, V-ZUG, Norder Band, Jye Chi, HH Stainless and Mori2A.
Outokumpu anticipates a substantial increase in demand for green steel in the coming years but says the global transition to greener practices must accelerate to mitigate the industry’s climate impact.
This surge in demand is fueled by several key factors: more stringent environmental regulations such as carbon pricing, advancements in green steel production technologies, and an increasing interest in low-emission solutions across various industries driven by ambitious climate goals. Notably, the automotive, heavy industry, energy and consumer goods sectors are particularly significant for stainless steel in this context.
“Challenges still remain in scaling up green steel production, such as the high initial investment costs, the availability of renewable energy sources, and the sufficiency of recycled steel as raw material,” Muller said. “We are eager to further develop the demand for green steel together with our stakeholders.”
Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, European 18-8 stainless steel scrap solids at Eur1,240/mt on Dec. 6 on a CIF Rotterdam basis, stable week on week.
Outokumpu improves stainless steel production in Europe
The European steel producer Outokumpu’s performance in the second quarter was relatively satisfactory, and the profitability improved from the first quarter. However, the company still has concerns about problems in the European business area.
The chief executive officer (CEO) said that to generate profits in a difficult operating environment, they must step up efforts to improve their cost competitiveness in Europe, particularly in commodity stainless steel production. The company aims to achieve further cost savings and optimize commodity stainless steel production in Finland and Germany.
The CEO pointed out that the factory in Tornio, Finland, has Europe’s most cost-effective and highest output. They intend to leverage Nordic clean energy and competitive energy prices.
Prominox buys Outokumpu’s Mexican distribution business
Stainless-steel supplier Prominox has acquired the Mexican distribution business of Finnish steelmaker Outokumpu, Kallanish learns.
The agreement includes large centres in Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey formerly known as Outokumpu Mexinox Distribution (OMD).
“We are delighted to incorporate Outokumpu’s solid distribution business into Prominox being confident that by adding the strategic locations and customer base to our portfolio, we are reinforcing our position as the leading stainless-steel distributor in Mexico,” says Prominox’s president, Ivette Autrique.
In a separate note, Outokumpu confirms that the divestment of the OMD unit is due in part to dedicate more resources to the strategic areas of Mexico and the US as the warehouses serve largely smaller volumes. “We will continue to fulfil customers’ orders that are served by OMD until the transaction with Prominox is completed,” Outokumpu adds.
The acquisition is now awaiting approval from Mexican authorities and other closing conditions. The transaction should be completed during the next few weeks.
Prominox and Outokumpu did not reveal any financial details of the agreement.
Todor Kirkov Bulgaria
Outokumpu appoints Kati ter Horst as CEO
Outokumpu has appointed Kati ter Horst as president and chief executive, with effect from 9 October at the latest.
She will be located in Outokumpu’s headquarters in Helsinki, Kallanish learns. She joins Outokumpu from Belgian company Aliaxis, a leading fluid management systems company, where she has held the position of divisional ceo for the EMEA region since 2022.
Kati ter Horst has already been a member of the Outokumpu board of directors since 2016 and vice chairman since 2022. Following her appointment, she will resign from the board at the end of September 2024.
“Kati ter Horst has a strong track record in process industries and extensive international leadership experience from complex business environments. Outokumpu’s board of directors is confident that she is the right person to lead the company ahead,” says Kari Jordan, chairman of the board.
On 2 May, Outokumpu announced that incumbent ceo Heikki Malinen had decided to leave the steelmaker to pursue a career opportunity elsewhere.
Christian Koehl Germany
