Outokumpu, a leading stainless steel manufacturer in Europe based in Finland, is investing around US$45 million to construct a new pilot plant in New Hampshire, US, scheduled to be operational by the first half of 2027. This facility represents a major step in the company's EVOLVE strategy to scale up its proprietary technology for carbon-free materials.

The plant will produce specialty metals such as chromium metal (over 90% chrome) and enriched ferrochrome (65% chrome and chromium metal). These high-purity materials are valuable for demanding industries, including aerospace, defense, and energy.

After a successful pilot phase, Outokumpu plans to build its first industrial-scale plant, with targeted operations by 2029-2030.