Business area Ferrochrome

Outokumpu is the owner of the largest known chromite reserves in Europe. We have the unique access to an essential raw material in the production of stainless steel.

Ferrochrome is an integral part of Outokumpu’s operations, and supported by our Kemi mine, it is a clear competitive advantage to us. Our Ferrochrome business area runs the chrome mine in Kemi and ferrochrome smelter in nearby Tornio, Finland.

The primary product for the Ferrochrome business area is the charge grade of ferrochrome. Majority of the ferrochrome produced is consumed internally by our own mills, and approximately 25% of the produced ferrochrome is sold to other producers outside the company. The proximity of the ferrochrome works to our stainless steel production facility in Tornio allows the ferrochrome to be transferred in liquid form, resulting in considerable cost savings in both energy and logistics. Our ferrochrome has a low carbon footprint, only 42% of the industry average. 

 

 

250 million euro investment in deepening the Kemi mine

To secure continuous chrome supply for the coming decades, Outokumpu is investing 250 million euros to expand its underground mining operations in Kemi to the depth of 1,000 meters. The mineral resources in the new depth are more than 90 million tonnes, and seismic measurements indicate that mineralization continues even further downwards. Our ferrochrome production will account for approximately 5% of global capacity, and by production costs we are among the top 10 ferrochrome smelters.

 

Updated September 3, 2021. 

Our Ferrochrome operations

Our Ferrochrome operations include the Kemi mine and ferrochrome smelter in nearby Tornio. 

Kemi Mine, Finland
Tornio, Finland – Ferrochrome