Outokumpu
Produces premium spherical stainless steel powders via VIGA process from 90%+ recycled scrap feedstock for LPBF, EBM, DED, and binder jetting additive manufacturing, targeting aerospace, medical, automotive, oil & gas, and tooling applications.
- CEO / Founder
- Kati ter Horst
- Team Size
- 10000+
- Stage
- Active
- Total Funding
- €468,324
- Latest Round
- Grant
- Key Investors
- Solidium Oy (15.5%, Finnish state-owned), Varma Mutual Pension Insurance, Ilmarinen Mutual Pension Insurance, Finnish Government (~26.6% collective ownership of parent Outokumpu Oyj), Kela (Social Insurance Institution of Finland)
Technology & Products
Key Products
Premium spherical stainless steel powders (austenitic, ferritic, duplex, martensitic) produced via VIGA process from 90%+ recycled scrap feedstock for LPBF, EBM, DED, and binder jetting additive manufacturing.
Technological Advantage
(1) CLAIMED: Premium VIGA powder quality with spherical particles and minimal satellites; sustainable sourcing with 90%+ recycled content; broadest stainless steel alloy portfolio (300+ grades). (2) VERIFIED: SMS group partnership for dedicated scrap-to-powder plant (announced by NRW Economics Minister); industry-first aerospace heat exchanger powder delivery (LinkedIn by employee); REACT public funding for AM energy efficiency (Northdata register). DEFENSIBLE: Vertical integration from parent company's scrap sourcing and alloy expertise is difficult to replicate — requires both metallurgical know-how and industrial-scale atomization infrastructure. REPLICABLE: VIGA process itself is well-established; the circular economy angle is the primary differentiator.
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Reduces raw material carbon footprint by leveraging 90%+ recycled stainless steel scrap — the industry's highest recycled content rate — while delivering VIGA-produced spherical powders with minimal satellites and tight particle size distributions. Vertical integration from scrap sourcing through atomization eliminates supply chain intermediaries, enabling competitive pricing for certified AM-grade austenitic, ferritic, duplex, and martensitic stainless steel powders across 300+ alloy grades from the parent company's portfolio.
How They Differentiate
Outokumpu differentiates through circular economy integration: 90%+ recycled scrap feedstock vs. competitors relying primarily on virgin raw materials, resulting in the industry's lowest carbon footprint for stainless steel powders. While Sandvik and Carpenter offer broader alloy portfolios including nickel and titanium superalloys, Outokumpu's unmatched depth in stainless steel (300+ grades from parent company) enables custom alloy development for specific AM applications that generalist powder producers cannot match. The SMS group partnership for a purpose-built scrap-to-powder plant provides dedicated AM production capacity, unlike competitors who share atomization capacity across multiple product lines.
Market & Competition
Target Customers
OEMs and contract manufacturers in aerospace, automotive, medical devices, oil & gas, and industrial tooling that require high-quality stainless steel AM powders with certified sustainability credentials.
Industry Verticals
Aerospace; Automotive; Medical Devices; Oil & Gas; Tooling; Industrial Manufacturing
Competitors
Sandvik, Carpenter Technology
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
Outokumpu Oyj (parent) reported approximately €6.4B revenue in 2023 with ~10,000 employees globally. The AM metal powder business is a growth initiative within the Advanced Materials business line. Public funding secured: €391,969 for REACT project (AM energy efficiency optimization for martensitic chromium steels); €76,355 for Dillenburg site transformation concept. SMS group partnership represents significant capital co-investment in dedicated AM powder production capacity at Krefeld.
Major Milestones
2022: NRW Economics Minister Pinkwart visits Krefeld; AM powder plant partnership with SMS group announced; 2022: Sustainability and 3D printing showcased during local politician visit to Krefeld facility; 2023: Industry-first batch of new stainless steel powder grade delivered for aerospace heat exchanger AM application; 2024: REACT public funding (€391,969) secured for AM route optimization using martensitic chromium steels; 2025: Exhibited at Formnext 2025 — AM metal powder solutions for multiple technologies
Notable Customers
Aerospace heat exchanger OEM (undisclosed — jointly engineered prototype with new stainless steel powder grade)