Quarterlytics / Basic Materials / Steel / Outokumpu Oyj / FY2020 Annual Report

Outokumpu Oyj
Annual Report 2020

OUTKF · OTC Basic Materials
Claim this profile
Ticker OUTKF
Exchange OTC
Sector Basic Materials
Industry Steel
Employees 5001-10,000
← All annual reports
FY2020 Annual Report · Outokumpu Oyj
Loading PDF…
Annual report  
2020

Contents

Annual review

Sustainability review

Outokumpu in brief  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  4

Sustainability at Outokumpu  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  2

Year 2020 in figures  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  5

Sustainable performance in 2020  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  3

Review by the Board 
of Directors and 
Financial statements

Governance

Corporate Governance Statement  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  2

Key risks  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  19

CEO’s review .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  6

SUSTAINABLE OPERATIONS  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  4

REVIEW BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS   .  .  .  2

Shares and shareholders  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  24

Vision and strategy  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  8

Protecting the climate with stainless steel   4

Group key figures  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  12

Information for shareholders  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  26

Stainless steel market   .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  10

Focus on energy efficiency  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 

7

Alternative performance measures   .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  13

Remuneration Report   .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  27

Year 2020  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  13

We operate at the heart of the 
circular economy  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  9

Reducing our impact on the environment   .  11

Sustainable supply chain  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  14

OUR PEOPLE & SOCIETY    .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  16

We operate safely, always  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  16

Building the best work environment   .  .  .  .  .  .  .  18

Outokumpu and society  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  23

SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS   .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  25

Customers and expertise  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  25

Research and development  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  27

Share-related key figures  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  16

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  18

Consolidated statement of income  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  19

Consolidated statement of  
comprehensive income   .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  19

Consolidated statement of  
financial position   .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  20

Consolidated statement of cash flows  .  .  .  .  .  21

Consolidated statement of  
changes in equity   .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  22

Notes to the consolidated financial 
statements  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  23

Scope of the report .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  28

Parent company financial statements  .  .  .  .  .  66

Independent assurance report  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  30

AUDITOR’S REPORT   .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  70

This Annual report combines Outokumpu’s sustainability and financial reporting 
for 2020. Outokumpu’s Sustainability review has been assured and the Financial 
statements have been audited. Outokumpu’s Financial statements published 
according to the ESEF regulation are available at www.outokumpu.com/reports. 

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Annual review

2 / 14

The lower and side surfaces of the Myllysilta bridge in Turku, Finland, are cladded with our duplex 
stainless steel that conceals and protects the other construction elements.

Annual 
review 2020

We are the global leader in stainless 
steel and the producer of the most 
sustainable stainless steel in the 
world. Our stainless steel has the 
highest recycled content and the 
smallest environmental footprint in 
the industry.

In brief

Outokumpu – the global leader in stainless steel

At Outokumpu, we work towards a world that lasts forever. The cornerstone of our business 
is enabling growth and innovation through environmentally, economically, and socially 
sustainable stainless steel products to benefit modern society for generations to come. 

Sales EUR
5 .6
billion

Adjusted  
EBITDA, EUR
250
million 

Net debt reduced 
to EUR
1,028
million

The foundation of our business is our ability 
to tailor stainless steel into any form and for 
almost any purpose. Our customers use it to 
create civilization’s basic structures and its 
most famous landmarks as well as products 
for households and various industries. We are 
the clear market leader in Europe and in the 
second place in the Americas market. Our 
ultimate vision is to be customer’s first choice 
in sustainable stainless steel.

We are the industry leader in sustainability with 
the highest recycled content, more than 90%, 
and smallest carbon footprint. Our products 
are extremely durable and corrosion resistant, 
resulting in low life-cycle costs, and they are 
endlessly and 100% recyclable. 

As the inventor of stainless steel, Outokumpu 
is committed to carrying this legacy forward 
and to take the benefits of stainless steel 
even further. With the vast expertise and 
experience of our team, we ensure the high 
quality and efficiency of our production at our 
mills in Finland, Germany, Mexico, Sweden, the 
UK and the US, and we serve our customers 
through a global sales and service center 
network. Outokumpu’s own chrome mine in 
Kemi, Finland is the source of the key raw 
material for stainless steel. Outokumpu Oyj 
is headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, and our 
shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki. 

Operations in 
over 30 
countries

9,915
employees

Recycled content
over 90%

CO2 emissions
–17 .0% * 

* Compared to the baseline of 2014–2016 

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Annual review

4 / 14

Key figures

Year 2020 in figures

In 2020, we kept our financial performance on a similar level than year 
before, despite a challenging year, and most importantly, we reduced our 
net debt to EUR 1,028 million. In safety, the year was the strongest on 
record with total recordable injury frequency rate of 2.4, better than our 
target. We also increased our already high share of recycled content and 
further decreased our CO2 footprint, the lowest in the industry.

Financial key figures
Net sales, EUR million
Deliveries, 1,000 tonnes
Adjusted EBITDA, EUR million
Net result, EUR million
Operating cash flow, EUR million
Net debt, EUR million
Debt-to-equity, EUR million

Environmental key figures
Recycled content, % 
C02 emission intensity, kg of CO2 eq. per tonne steel
Energy intensity, use in GJ per tonne crude steel
Use rate of slag, %
Total landfill waste intensity, tonnes per tonne steel

Social key figures
Total recordable injury frequency rate 1)
Lost-time injuries rate 2) 
Personnel

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

5,639
2,121
250
–116
322
1,028
43 .6

92 .5
1,549
11 .0
77 .1
0 .590

2 .4
1 .4
9,915

6,403
2,196
263
–75
371
1,155
45.1

89.6
1,606
10.9
90.8
0.500

6,872
2,428
485
130
214
1,241
45.1

88.6
1,719
10.1
89.9
0.472

6,356
2,448
631
392
328
1,091
40.1

87.0
1,832
9.3
91.1
0.364

5,690
2,444
309
144
389
1,242
51.4

87.1
1,865
9.5
90.0
0.406

3.2
1.4
10,390

4.1
1.7
10,449

4.4
1.8
10,141

8.7
2.2
10,600

1) Total recordable injury frequency includes fatalities, lost time injuries, restricted work injuries and medically treated injuries, per million working hours. 
2)  Lost time injuries including fatalities and lost time injuries, per million working hours.

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Annual review

Adjusted EBITDA, € million

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Sales by business area, € 5,639 million

(cid:31)  Europe 62%
(cid:31)  Americas 21%
(cid:31)  Long Products 7%
(cid:31)  Ferrochrome 3%
(cid:31)  Other operations 7%

Stainless steel deliveries by business area, %

(cid:31)  Europe 65%
(cid:31)  Americas 27%
(cid:31)  Long Products 8%

5 / 14

CEO’s review

CEO’s review

The year 2020 was unprecedented for the global economy, for societies 
and individuals as well as for the stainless steel industry and Outokumpu. 
In addition to the ongoing global market uncertainty and the market 
disruption from Asian imports into Europe, the year was strongly shaped 
by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ever since the outbreak of COVID-19 in the 
first quarter of 2020, Outokumpu has taken 
strong measures to mitigate its impacts on our 
employees, operations and business. Our priority 
has been to secure the health and safety of 
our employees and those close to us, and our 
comprehensive actions during the year have 
been proven effective. Outokumpu adjusted 
operations to meet the lowered demand, 
reduced fixed costs through cost compression 
measures and focused on maintaining proactive 
customer engagement to ensure the continua-
tion of customer service. 

The market situation in Europe remained 
difficult due to increased import pressure 
from Asia, leading in the third quarter to the 
historically lowest stainless steel price levels. 
The definitive anti-dumping duties imposed in 
October by the European Commission on hot 
rolled stainless steel from Indonesia, China 
and Taiwan were a step into the right direction. 
However, they are still insufficient to restore a 
level playing field and to secure a sustainable 
future for the European stainless steel industry. 
We call for available trade enforcement tools 
to be applied in full.

The efforts to mitigate the pandemic’s impacts 
continued throughout the year 2020 into 2021 
with ongoing new waves of the pandemic around 
the world. Outokumpu’s measures for health 
and safety and for running our operations and 
business have transformed our ways of working 
and collaborating. I am proud and thankful 
of the resilience, flexibility and commitment 
the Outokumpu team and our partners have 
demonstrated.

In terms of overall safety, we maintained our 
high standards and continued to improve our 
safety performance reaching the strongest year 
on record. The total recordable injury frequency 
rate was 2.4, surpassing our target of below 3.0.

Our full-year adjusted EBITDA amounted to 
EUR 250 million. Even though the EBITDA was 
lower than expected, in an exceptional market 
situation reaching nearly the same level as in 
2019 demonstrates the power of our actions 
to step up and to protect our business in times 
of challenge. As a result of working capital 
release and stringent control of our capital 
expenditures, we successfully reduced our net 
debt to EUR 1,028 million, the lowest level 
in recent history and below the year-end goal 
of EUR 1,100 million. The extension of the 
maturity of the EUR 650 million syndicated 
revolving credit facility strengthens our debt 
structure and liquidity profile.

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Annual review

6 / 14

CEO’s review

CEO’s review

Despite returning our financial performance 
in the year shaped by COVID-19 back to near 
2019 levels, our financial performance needs 
further strenghtening. Hence, we will continue 
to execute strategic measures to improve our 
results.

Business area Europe was impacted by the 
high import pressure from Asia and lower 
prices. During the second half of the year, 
the business area achieved an impressive 
comeback leading to a full-year adjusted 
EBITDA of EUR 142 million, which is a notable 
achievement in a very challenging environment.

With a full-year adjusted EBITDA of EUR 55 
million, business area Americas continued 
its successful turnaround: operations have 
been stabilized and commercial performance 
is accelerating. The investment in ferritics in 
Calvert reached ramp-up phase in the fourth 
quarter, taking us closer to leveraging the 
investment’s full potential. Outokumpu now 
has strong footholds in both European and 
American markets, strengthening our stability 
and capabilities to meet our customers’ needs 
in all markets.

Business area Ferrochrome holds a strong 
potential for value creation at Outokumpu. 
The ongoing Deep Mine expansion project, 
expected to be finalized by the end of 2022, 
ensures the ore availability at Kemi mine for 
the coming decades. During 2020, business 
area Long Products underwent a strategic 
review, which was concluded in September with 
a start of a turnaround program to develop the 
business area internally. 

In addition to navigating through an exceptional 
year, Outokumpu launched its new long-term 

achieve our sustainability targets to reduce our 
CO2 emissions by 20% by 2023 and to reach 
carbon neutrality by 2050. Sustainability has 
always been in the very core of Outokumpu, 
and we are pleased to note growing signifi-
cance of sustainability as a decision-making 
criteria among our stakeholders – including 
customers, investors and employees. To ensure 
we continue to carry our responsibility as 
the sustainability leader, we are sharpening 
our sustainability strategy and roadmap. We 
harness every measure we can to realize our 
vision to be customer’s first choice in sustain-
able stainless steel.

I want to again thank our employees for the 
resilience and commitment to keep each other 
safe and our business running and improving 
during the challenging year 2020. I also warmly 
thank our customers and shareholders for their 
continued trust in Outokumpu.

Heikki Malinen 
President and CEO

strategy in 2020. After starting as CEO in 
May, I took a deep dive into our business 
and operations and discussed in detail with a 
sizeable group of employees and customers 
to lay a good foundation for the strategy work: 
a thorough understanding of the company, its 
strengths and areas that need development. 
Outokumpu has made notable progress in 
efficiency and productivity improvements, but 
due to global market uncertainty, impacts 
of the pandemic and market disruption from 
Asian imports, further measures are needed 
to improve the overall performance, cost 
structure, operational efficiency and customer 
engagement. Following a thorough assessment 
and a full-potential analysis together with 
our internal team, we introduced the new 
strategy in November to position the company 
competitively for the future by strengthening 
its balance sheet in the shorter term and 
de-risking the company in the long run.

The strategy is built on clear timebound 
initiatives and targets and it calls for diligent, 
decisive execution. It is centered on strict cost 
and capital discipline, strong customer engage-
ment and a lean, delayered organization. We 
set ambitious but realistic financial targets for 
our strategy: EUR 200 million EBITDA run-rate 
improvement and net debt to EBITDA of below 
3.0x by the end of 2022. These targets are 
fully based on our own improvement actions. 

We are the industry leader in sustainability 
with the lowest CO2 footprint and with the 
highest recycled content in our stainless steel. 
In 2020, we succeeded in increasing the 
already high share of recycled content in our 
production to over 90% and further decreasing 
our CO2 footprint. We are well on track to 

“We will continue to 
execute strategic 
measures to improve 
our results.”

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Annual review

7 / 14

Vision and strategy

Strategy focuses on strengthening the balance 
sheet and de-risking the company 

Outokumpu’s strategy aims to competitively position the 
company for the future by strengthening the balance 
sheet in the shorter term and by de-risking the company 
for strong returns in the long run. The strategy is built on 
clear timebound initiatives and targets. Outokumpu is 
the sustainability leader in its industry and Outokumpu’s 
ultimate vision is to be customer’s first choice in 
sustainable stainless steel.

During the reporting year, we continued to 
improve Outokumpu’s competitiveness and 
profitability in line with the goals for the 
strategy period ending in 2020. The six focus 

areas of the strategy were safety, sustainability, 
operational excellence, commercial excellence, 
the Americas and digital transformation. We 
improved the safety of our operations and 

succeeded in decreasing our total recordable 
injury frequency rate (TRIFR) below 3.0 as 
targeted. Improvements in sustainability, 
operational excellence and commercial 
excellence continued. Business area Americas 
has succeeded on operational and commercial 
stabilization, and in the area of digital 
transformation we progressed for example with 
the digital manufacturing program in Tornio mill. 

New strategy in November
Outokumpu has made great progress with 
efficiency and productivity improvements during 
the past years, but due to ongoing global 
market uncertainty, the impacts of COVID-19 
pandemic and market disruption from Asian 

Phase 3: 2026–

Investing in growth and 
sustainability

Customer’s 
first choice in 
sustainable 
stainless steel

Phase 2: 2023–2025

Targeted productivity 
investments to improve 
margins

Phase 1: 2021–2022

Margin improvement and 
de-leveraging the balance 
sheet

Continue de-leveraging the balance sheet

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Annual review

imports into Europe and Mexico, we clearly 
need further measures to improve our overall 
financial performance, cost structure, opera-
tional efficiency and customer engagement. 
The new strategy launched for the coming 
years addresses all these topics. 

Three phases of the strategy
Outokumpu’s strategy includes three phases 
with each phase requiring strong and diligent 
execution and focus, creating the foundation 
for the next phase. Deleveraging the balance 
sheet will continue throughout all three phases. 

In the first phase of the strategy, during 
2021–2022, we will focus on strengthening 
the balance sheet. The following two phases of 
the strategy will focus on targeted investments 
in productivity, sustainability and value-adding 
growth, and the targets will be communicated 
at a later stage.

Outokumpu’s strategy builds on the company’s 
strong foundation. Outokumpu is the industry 
leader in sustainability. We have the lowest 
CO2 footprint and highest recycled content rate 
in the industry, and we have ambitious targets 
to strengthen our sustainability record further. 
Outokumpu is also the leader in specialty 
grades, and our customers see us as their 
preferred partner. We have an experienced 
team and world-class, stable operations with a 
strong culture for continuous improvement.

Strategy for 2021–2022
During the first phase of the strategy, during 
2021–2022, Outokumpu will prioritize 
de-risking the company through margin 

8 / 14

Vision and strategy

improvement, cash flow management and 
deleveraging the balance sheet. The new 
financial targets, EUR 200 million EBITDA 
run-rate improvement and net debt to EBITDA 
of below 3.0× by the end of 2022, are fully 
based on self-help improvement actions. 

To reach these financial targets, the strategy is 
divided into operational, commercial and orga-
nizational objectives: strict cost and capital 
discipline, strong customer engagement and 
a lean, delayered organization. Each of these 
areas will contribute equally to the target of 
EUR 200 million run-rate EBITDA improvement. 
Outokumpu will increase raw material efficiency 
and operational cost savings while limiting 

annual capital expenditure to EUR 180 million 
in 2021 and 2022 through maintenance 
optimization and strict asset management. 

As part of the strategy, Outokumpu’s core 
businesses – stainless steel and ferrochrome 
– focus on increasing the market penetration, 
enhancing the product mix, growing in selected 
segments and leveraging the company’s 
leadership in specialty grades. Business area 
Long Products is undergoing a turnaround 
program to deliver significant improvement in 
financial performance, following a strategic 
review concluded in the second half of 2020.

With the approach on lean and delayered 
organization, Outokumpu is simplifying the 

organizational structure and accountability. 
Outokumpu initiated restructuring measures 
with the plan to create cost savings by 
restructuring and reducing total employee 
headcount by approximately 1,000 mostly by 
the end of 2021. Outokumpu targets to have a 
headcount of below 9,000 during 2022.

Concrete targets for 
each business area
Efficient strategy execution is ensured 
through a new steering model, in which 
each business area has concrete plans and 
initiatives. In business area Europe, the focus 
will be on measures improving cost position 
and customer engagement. In commercial 

Strategic initiatives focus on de-risking the company

Customer excellence

•  Enhanced product mix in all business areas

Cost & 
capital discipline

Lean and agile 
organization

•  Growth in selected segments

•  Leverage specialty grades leadership

•  Increased raw material efficiency

•  Maintenance optimization

•  Strict asset management

•  Annual CAPEX EUR 180 million in 2021 and 2022

•  Planned 10% reduction in Group headcount by end of 2021

•  De-layered organization

•  Strong performance management

Deleveraging the balance sheet

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Annual review

EUR
200
million  
EBITDA improvement*

<3 .0×
Net debt / EBITDA

*run-rate improvement from 
actions by year-end 2022 

“There is great value in the 
company, and we will unlock 
it with a clear strategy and 
determined implementation.” 

CEO Heikki Malinen

excellence, the target is to grow specialty 
grades sales, supported by new products 
and high-quality technical sales, and to 
strengthen commodity sales through improved 
cost competitiveness and stronger customer 
engagement. In cost and capital discipline, 
Europe continues to optimize raw material 
costs, reduces fixed costs, accelerates manu-
facturing excellence programs, and optimizes 
maintenance and procurement spend. 

In the Americas business area, the focus 
moves from turnaround to continuous improve-
ment and growth. We look to strengthen our 
commercial footprint both in Mexico and in 
the US, and to grow in selected segments: 
automotive, appliances and pipe and tube. We 
also aim to capture full benefits of the EUR 
30 million ferritics investment which reached 
the ramp-up phase at the end of 2020. In 
cost and capital discipline we focus on slab 
costs and freight costs optimization as well as 
manufacturing excellence program. 

Business area Ferrochrome holds strong 
potential for future value creation. We plan 
to increase sales through new product 
development and to reduce reliance on spot 
markets and logistics costs. Fine concentrating 
plant capabilities and efficiency of the mining 
will also be improved. The ongoing Deep Mine 
investment extends ore availability until the 
beginning of the 2040s. 

9 / 14

Market environment

Stainless steel market

The long-term outlook for stainless steel 
remains positive due to the increasing need of 
long-lasting and sustainable solutions for the 
world’s most critical challenges. Outokumpu 
is the undisputed market leader in Europe and 
strong number two in the Americas.

Megatrends drive the demand 
for sustainable solutions
Global megatrends, such as urbanization, 
mobility, economic and population growth, 
and climate change, are the main growth 
drivers for the stainless steel industry. The 
need to develop sustainable solutions that 
are durable and can be reused at the end of 
their lifecycle is apparent, as the megatrends 
drive the demand for economic, social, and 
environmental sustainability.

Our commitment and contribution to 
sustainability are embedded throughout our 
value chain from procurement and production 
to customer deliveries. We have the lowest 
carbon footprint in our industry, and we are the 
leader in the circular economy as the recycled 
content in our stainless steel is highest in the 
industry – over 90%. Mitigating climate change 
by reducing our carbon footprint is a clear 
focus area, and we aim to reduce our envi-
ronmental impact for example through energy 

End-uses of stainless steel in 2020

(cid:31)  Consumer Goods & Medicals 51%
(cid:31)  Chemical, Petrochemical & Energy 15%
(cid:31)  Automotive & Heavy Transport 10%
(cid:31)  ABC & Infrastructure 15%
(cid:31)  Industrial & Heavy Industry 6%
(cid:31)  Others 2%

Source: SMR, stainless steel finished products (rolled and forged products excl. 
13Cr tubes, profiles), January 2021.

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Annual review

10 / 14

Market environment

efficient production and by using low-carbon 
electricity. We are continuously looking for 
ways to even further improve the sustainability 
of our products and processes.

Global market with few big players
Outokumpu operates in the global stainless 
steel market. Our world-class assets, compre-
hensive product portfolio and proven expertise 
form a sound foundation for our strategy 
execution and future success.

In 2020, the market for cold-rolled products 
totaled approximately 26.5 million tonnes. 
Outokumpu’s global market share was 
approximately 6%. In Europe, our cold rolled 

market share is approximately 30%, which 
makes us the market leader in Europe. In the 
USMCA region our market share is approxi-
mately 24% and in the US approximately 22%, 
making Outokumpu the clear number two in 
the Americas. (Sources: EUROFER, SMR, US: 
Foreign Trade Statistics, American Iron & Steel 
Institute)

In addition to Outokumpu, the largest stainless 
steel producers worldwide include Asian 
companies Tsingshan, TISCO and POSCO as 
well as European-based Acerinox and Aperam. 
Several Asian producers also manufacture 
carbon steel, while European manufacturers 
focus on stainless steel. (Source: CRU)

Major stainless steel producers

Million tonnes

Tsingshan
TISCO
POSCO
Acerinox
Outokumpu
Aperam
Guanxi Chengde
Jiangsu Delong
YUSCO

2021

2020

9 .8
4 .5
3 .3
3 .3
3 .2
3 .0
3 .0
2 .9
2 .8

9.8
4.5
3.3
3.3
3.2
3.0
3.0
1.1
2.8

Source: Stainless steel production capacity of slabs, CRU 
November 2020.

Stainless steel and raw material prices in 2020

Stainless steel price*, EUR/t

Nickel price, USD/t

Ferrochrome price, USD/lb

5,000

4,000

3,000

2,000

1,000

0

25,000

20,000

15,000

10,000

5,000

2.0

1.5

1.0

0.5

0.0

95

00

05

10

15

20

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

Source: CRU January 2021
* Stainless steel reference price for cold rolled 304 2mm sheet in Europe.

Source: LME settlement, monthly average prices, including December 2020.

Source: Quarterly contract prices agreed between South African ferrochrome 
producers and European buyers.

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Annual review

11 / 14

Market environment

After an unusual year, the long-
term market outlook remains 
positive with growing demand
The long-term outlook for stainless steel 
demand remains positive despite the 
disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic 
in 2020. Global megatrends, such as 
urbanization, climate change, and increased 
mobility combined with growing global demand 
for energy, food, and water, are expected to 
support the future growth of stainless steel 
demand. In 2020, the global steel production 
amounted to 1,864 million tonnes of which 
approximately 3% was stainless steel. (Source: 
CRU, Worldsteel)

The demand for stainless steel products is 
impacted by global, regional, and national 
economic conditions, levels of industrial 
investment activity and industrial production.

Market environment 
remains difficult
Global consumption and production of 
stainless steels were in 2020 severely 
disrupted by the shock arising from COVID-19 
pandemic. Due to the wide lockdown schemes 
the most pronounced impact in Europe and 
Americas took place in the second quarter 
and by the end of the year we started to see 
a strong recovery. European steel industry 
continues to suffer from the high level of 
imports from the third countries and price 
pressure despite the anti-dumping duties on 
stainless steel hot rolled from China, Indonesia 
and Taiwan imposed by the European Union 
in April. The need for the renewal of the EU’s 
Safeguard measures after June 2021 remains 
in place as there are currently no signs of 
easing overcapacities in Asia, nor lifting of the 
US imports tariffs imposed in 2018. Global real 
demand for stainless steel products amounted 
to 42.8 million tonnes in 2020, a decrease of 
3.3% from 44.3 million tonnes in 2019. The 
demand in EMEA and Americas decreased 
by 12.1% and 12.3, respectively, while APAC 
only decreased by 0.2%. The annual demand 
decreased most, by 15.6% in Automotive 
& Heavy Transport segment. The demand 
in Industrial & Heavy Industry decreased by 
4.8%, in ABC and Infrastructure by 3.3%, in 
Chemical, Petrochemical and Energy by 2.3% 
and in Consumer Goods and Medicals by 0.5%. 
(Source: SMR)

The global stainless steel production decreased 
by around 5% in 2020 from the previous 
year, reaching 50.4 million tonnes. The drop 
in output was pronounced in the most of the 
regions, while the output only grew in Indonesia 
and remained on the same levels compared to 
2019 in China. This on one hand demonstrates 
the continuation of the rapid capacity build-up 
in Indonesia, and on the other hand China’s 
prompt recovery from the crisis caused by the 
COVID-19 pandemic. (Source: CRU)

The stainless steel industry has been burdened 
by overcapacity in recent years, especially 
in Asia. The global stainless steel production 
capacity of slabs increased in 2020 by roughly 
2% to 60.1 million tonnes. The global utiliza-
tion rate was assessed to have decreased to 
the levels of 70% in 2020. As the production 
of stainless steel is capital intensive, producers 
generally seek to maintain high capacity 
utilization in order to maintain and improve 
profitability. (Source: CRU)

Stainless steel is sold either directly to end 
users or to stainless steel distributors, tube 
makers, and processors, such as steel service 
centers, who resell the products to end users. 
In 2020, 52% of Outokumpu’s stainless steel 
was sold directly to end-user customers. The 
remaining approximately 48% of sales were 
shipped to distributors that stock and process 
stainless steel to serve end users. 

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Annual review

12 / 14

Year 2020

Year 2020

Responding to COVID-19

Safe safety training during the summer’s 
maintenance break in Avesta, Sweden, with marks 
showing adequate distances for the participants.

Safety is a key priority at Outokumpu, and the 
company is committed to protecting the health 
and safety of its employees. Outokumpu has 
several safety measures in place to ensure the 
safety of people and to mitigate the negative 
impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. These 
measures include for example suspending all 
attendance at any gatherings or events, limiting 
travel, face-to-face meetings and visitor access 
to the sites to business critical, encouraging 
remote work whenever possible, and imposing 
quarantine for employees as needed. 
Outokumpu monitors the COVID-19 situation 
closely in each country in which it operates 
and adjusts the required measures accordingly. 
Despite the exceptional times brought about 
by the pandemic, the company delivered its 
strongest annual safety performance on record.

In 2020, Outokumpu navigated successfully 
through the pandemic. Outokumpu has contin-
gency plans in place to mitigate operational 
and financial risks. Thanks to decisive and 
well-timed actions taken by the company, the 

negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic 
on Outokumpu’s operations have been very 
limited. Outokumpu has been able to operate 
efficiently throughout the pandemic and 
has successfully adjusted its operations to 
meet the current demand level. Outokumpu 
also initiated immediate cost compression 
measures when the COVID-19 pandemic began 
to affect global stainless steel demand. The 
actions continued throughout the year and 
tight cost control supported the company’s 
profitability and cash flow in 2020. 

As a response to the pandemic, Outokumpu 
reduced its capital expenditures to EUR 180 
million in 2020. Furthermore, the cash release 
from the net working capital reduction was 
significantly above the targeted level of EUR 
100 million. Included here are the deferred 
VAT payments in Finland of EUR 75 million, of 
which EUR 61 million was still outstanding 
at year-end for up to one and a half years. In 
November, Outokumpu closed the sale and 
lease back transaction regarding its service 

center premises in Hockenheim, Germany, 
with net cash proceeds of EUR 14 million. 
Including this transaction, Outokumpu was able 
to release a total of EUR 23 million of cash 
from non-core assets. In general, the COVID-19 
situation slowed down the divestment of 
non-core assets and the original target to book 
approximately EUR 40 million of proceeds in 
2020 did not materialize as planned.

Outokumpu has successfully managed its 
liquidity through the pandemic and the 
company’s financial position has remained 
stable. Cash and cash equivalents amounted 
to EUR 376 million at the end of the year 
and the total liquidity reserves increased to 
over EUR 1.0 billion. At the end of October, 
Outokumpu signed together with a group of 
banks a SEK 1,000 million revolving credit 
facility, which is guaranteed by the Swedish 
Export Credit Agency EKN. At the end of 
December, Outokumpu agreed an amendment 
and extension of its syndicated revolving credit 
facility. Out of the EUR 574 million maturing 

in May 2022, EUR 532 million was extended 
until the end of May 2023.

The financial covenants of Outokumpu’s 
financial agreements are based on debt- 
to-equity ratio and Outokumpu remains in 
compliance with the financial covenants of its 
financing agreements.

In this report, we go through the impacts of 
COVID-19, whenever there are any, in the 
sustainability review and in the financial 
statements. 

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Annual review

13 / 14

Year 2020

Right direction in the Americas
Outokumpu’s business area Americas is 
developing in the right direction, thanks to 
the successful operational and commercial 
stabilization. Business area Americas 
continues its successful turnaround with full-
year adjusted EBITDA reaching EUR 55 million, 
an improvement of over EUR 80 million from 
2019. We are now accelerating the commer-
cial turnaround in the Americas supported 
by our investment in ferritics capabilities 
in Calvert. Our Calvert mill has been in the 
American market for nearly ten years, with first 
years dedicated to ramping up the new mill, 
and Outokumpu has become the clear number 
two in the American market. Going forward, we 
want to strengthen our commercial footprint 
in the US and in Mexico and grow in such 
segments as automotive, appliances, and pipe 
and tube.

Working at Europe’s biggest 
recycling center
At our Tornio mill alone, we handle 1 million 
tonnes of scrap, turning it into top-quality 
stainless steel. In fact, our Tornio plant is 
the largest material recycling center in all of 
Europe, and sustainability means a lot to us. 
Maija Mehtälä, Environmental Engineer at the 
Outokumpu Tornio mill explains: “My mother 
was an example to me on how to do recycling. 
Nature and environmental issues were part 
of daily life. Now, my workplace in Tornio is 
Europe’s biggest material recycling center. 
One of our biggest targets is to decrease our 
environmental impact – something we have 
been working on for decades. Stainless steel 
can be used everywhere, and best of all, it is 
100% recyclable. It is very important that you 
bring your old pots and pans back to us, so 
that we can give a new life for them.” 

Watch Maija Mehtälä describe her work at 
Outokumpu 

Buying stainless steel has 
never been easier
We launched a new digital sales channel in 
2019 for the customers of our coil service 
center in Hockenheim, Germany. In 2020, 
we extended it to our coil service center in 
Castelleone, Italy for customers in Italy and the 
neighboring countries.

In our web shop, customers have 24/7 online 
accessibility to information on our products, 
availability, prices and lead times, with shipping 
of stock material within 48 hours when 
ordering before 12 noon CET. Our customers 
can select from more than 1,000 standard 
products from stock, as well as choose 
cut sheets according to their needs. Paul 
Schlimgen, SVP, Customer Experience and 
Digital Sales Channels at Outokumpu: “The 
journey to digitalize the sale of our products 
has just started. We believe that this trend 
is – like in other industries – non-reversible. 
Therefore, we are continuing to follow this 
important path by extending the service 
offering for our customers.”

Visit our web shop 

Duplex turned 90
In 2020, Outokumpu celebrated 90 years 
since duplex stainless steel made its debut on 
the world market. The global leader in stainless 
steel used the opportunity to highlight the 
growing role of duplex grades in supporting 
sustainability. This is made possible by their 
superior corrosion resistance and high strength. 
Thanks to this combination of properties, 
engineers can create lightweight components 
and structures that provide a long life and 
require minimum maintenance – delivering 
excellent value for money and minimizing the 
use of raw materials. As the inventor of duplex 
stainless steel, Outokumpu is committed to 
carrying this legacy forward: over the years, 
we have developed super, lean and formable 
duplex grades. 

Find out more on duplex 

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Annual review

14 / 14

 
 
Sustainability 
review 2020

We are proud provider of the most 
sustainable stainless steel that 
helps to build a world that lasts 
forever. However, it’s not just about 
what we do, but how we do it.

Sustainability at Outokumpu

Sustainability at 
Outokumpu

As the leading global producer of sustainable 
stainless steel, we are at the heart of moving 
society towards ecologically, socially, and 
economically sustainable solutions. 

Our product is at the very core of our sustain-
ability approach. Stainless steel is a superb 
material for sustainable solutions as it is 
100% recyclable, efficient and long-lasting. The 
cornerstone of our business is enabling growth 
and innovation through sustainable stainless 
steel solutions and our vision is to become our 
customers’ first choice in sustainable stainless 
steel.

However, it is not only what we do, but also 
how we do it. We are the industry leader 
in sustainability as according to internal 
estimates our stainless steel has the lowest 
carbon footprint of the industry when taking 
into account all indirect emissions, including 
raw materials. We also lead the industry in 
terms of contribution to the circular economy. 
The recycled content of our stainless steel 
is more than 90% and we are continuously 
looking for ways to minimize our environmental 
impact. We have ambitious goals for our 
sustainability and we are committed to 
reach carbon neutrality by 2050 and are well 
on-track to reach the short-term target of 20% 
reduction by 2023. 

Key initiatives to strengthen 
the sustainability agenda
During 2020, we took steps to further 
strengthen our sustainability agenda and our 
sustainability approach was updated to reflect 
the growing importance of sustainability and 
the possibilities it offers to our business. Our 
sustainability approach can be divided into 
three themes: mitigating climate change, 
protecting the environment and responsibility 
to our people and the society.

Several key initiatives were launched during 
the year to drive our sustainability approach 
across the organization. Key initiatives included 
renewing the environmental performance 
KPIs, creating a road map to carbon neutrality, 
launching working groups to strengthen 
customer cooperation and marketing, as 
well as developing a stronger sustainability 
culture through internal communications and 
an e-learning. Outokumpu has also joined the 
ResponsibleSteel initiative.

The updated approach is based on a 
materiality analysis and a mapping of our 
key stakeholders – customers, employees, 
suppliers, and investors – and the topics most 
relevant to them. We maintain a continuous 

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Sustainability review

with further assessment of environmental, social 
and governance compliance.

Commitment to global 
frameworks and standards
We are committed to the United Nation’s 
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 
our focus was realigned in 2019. We have 
selected six SDGs that are the most relevant 
either through the way we operate or through our 
products. 

Sustainability is integrated into all our operations, 
activities, and decision making. Outokumpu’s 
operations are guided by our Code of Conduct, 
Ethical Principles, Corporate Responsibility Policy, 
and Environment, Health & Safety and Quality 
Policy. We expect our business partners and 
suppliers to follow similar standards. All of our 
policies are available at outokumpu.com.

All of Outokumpu’s sites are certified according 
to quality ISO 9001 and environment 
ISO 14001 management systems, including 
energy efficiency targets. The functioning of 
the systems is monitored by both internal and 
external audits. These management systems are 
used to implement sustainability issues on the 
local level. No fines or non-monetary sanctions 
occurred in 2020. 

2 / 30

dialog with our key stakeholder groups to 
follow emerging sustainability trends and 
topics within the stainless steel industry. Key 
topics discussed in 2020 include climate 
change mitigation with lower carbon footprint, 
improving energy efficiency, ensuring the safety, 
well-being, and development of our personnel 
and strengthening supply chain sustainability 

Sustainable performance

Sustainability performance in 2020

Outokumpu has set 
challenging goals and key 
sustainability performance 
indicators. The company also 
follows up and measures 
other selected economic, 
social and environmental 
indicators.
All sustainability figures are available on our 
sustainability data tool 

Continuous 
performance 
development

Work-related 
injuries 
continued 
to decline

Energy 
efficiency 
remained 
stable

In 2020, 98% of all Outokumpu employees 
in applicable countries had a regular 
performance development discussion with 
their managers.

Our total recordable injury frequency rate 
(TRIFR, per million working hours) continued 
to decline and was 2.4 compared to 3.2 in 
2019.

Our target was to improve energy efficiency 
by 1% annually since 2010. Target was not 
reached due to restructuring and changes 
in the company. 

More on our people 

More on safety and health 

More on energy efficiency 

TARGET 100% /RESULT 98%

TARGET <3 .0 / RESULT 2 .4

TARGET 2020 12 .9% / STATUS 3 .6%

No significant 
environmental 
incidents

Recycled 
content on a 
high level

Outokumpu’s target is to have no 
significant environmental incidents, and 
the company has had no such incidents for 
many years.

Our stainless steel contains the highest 
rate of recycled content in the industry. 
Recycled content includes steel scrap and 
recycled metals from other residuals.

More on our environmental impact 

More on resource efficiency 

Reduced CO2 
emissions 
intensity

Our target is to reduce our CO2 emissions by 
20% by 2023 compared to the baseline of 
2014–2016.

More on our actions on climate change 

TARGET 0 / RESULT 0

TARGET 2020 90% / STATUS 92 .5%

TARGET 2023 20% / STATUS 17 .0%

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Sustainability review

3 / 30

 
 
Sustainable operations

Protecting the climate 
with stainless steel

Stainless steel helps to combat climate change as 
it is durable, long-lasting, and recyclable. In addition 
to offering stainless steel with a low carbon profile, 
we work continuously to further reduce our carbon 
profile. Outokumpu is committed to reaching carbon 
neutrality by 2050.

Stainless steel production is energy intensive. 
The keys to reducing our own carbon emissions 
are to increase our energy efficiency and the 
use of low carbon energy sources. Stainless 
steel produced by Outokumpu has the 
lowest total carbon footprint in the industry, 
helping our customers to reduce their carbon 
footprints.

Where do our emissions 
come from?
The greenhouse gas emissions from Outo-
kumpu operations are limited to CO2 emissions. 
These emissions come directly from production 
(scope 1), indirectly from the use of electricity 
(scope 2) and from upstream emissions mainly 
from the use of materials (scope 3). 

Direct emissions originate from the carbon 
content of our raw materials and from the use 
of fuels. Indirect emissions are caused by the 
use of electricity. Electricity emissions are also 
published as location-based emissions with 
the specific emission factors for electricity 
published by the country statistics. 

The keys to reducing 
our own carbon 
emissions are to 
increase our energy 
efficiency and the use 
of low carbon energy 
sources. 

Other indirect emissions for steel production 
are mainly upstream emissions of material use 
such as ferroalloys (except ferrochrome which 
is included in direct and indirect emissions of 
scope 1 and 2) as well as lime and dolomite, 
transportation and to a lesser extent from 

some other scope 3 emissions. At the moment, 
there are no estimation methods for the 
complex downstream emissions of stainless 
steel available. Case studies from consultants 
indicate CO2 net savings of steel use from life 
cycle assessment. 

Toward a lower carbon footprint
Our total company carbon profile, including 
upstream emissions, is the lowest in the 
industry according to internal estimates. We 
continuously strive to make our operations 
more energy efficient and to maximize the 
use of low carbon electricity in our operations. 
Increasing the recycled content in our steel 
and improving resource efficiency are also 
factors in reaching even lower CO2eq emissions 
and reducing upstream emissions.

In 2020, the total specific CO2eq emissions 
were reduced by 17.0% compared to the base-
line of 2014–2016. The high recycling rate is 
the main driver to succeed in high reduction 
of scope 3 emissions. CO2eq emissions from 
transport reduced significantly by implementing 
an intermodal transport strategy and reduced 
emission factors. Travel restrictions due to the 
COVID-19 pandemic lowered business travel 
emissions to a fifth. The emissions allocated 
to sold ferrochrome were not included in the 
target report for the stainless steel. 

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Sustainability review

4 / 30

Sustainable operations

Target for Science Based Target criteria

Outokumpu’s CO2 eq emission intensity, 
tonnes of CO2 eq per tonne steel

Reduction target of 20% by 2023

14–16

17

18

19

20

21

22

2023

● Upstream CO2 emission intensity
● Transport & travel
● Indirect
● Direct

Outokumpu’s emissions scenarios, 
Scope 1 , 2 & 3 emission intensity

Target 2023:  
20% reduction

Stated policy 
scenario

Sustainable 
development 
scenario

14–16

20

25

30

35

40

45

2050

● Upstream emissions
● Direct and indirect emissions

2.0

1.5

1.0

0.5

0.0

2.5

2.0

1.5

1.0

0.5

0.0

In 2020, Outokumpu consumed overall 
27,655 TJ of primary fuels and electricity with 
a decrease of 2.3% due to lower production. 
However, the intensity figure slightly increased 
by 1.5% to 11.0 GJ per tonne steel due to 
increased ferrochrome production. See all data 
on CO2 emissions. 

Climate commitment to 
science-based targets
Outokumpu is committed to the Science 
Based Targets initiative. The initiative considers 
companies’ greenhouse gas reduction targets 
science-based if they are in line with the level 
of decarbonization required to keep the global 
temperature increase well below 2°C compared 
to the pre-industrial temperature. 

Our target is to reduce scope 1, 2, and 3 
greenhouse gas emissions by 20% per tonne 
of stainless steel by 2023 from a 2014–2016 
base period. The baseline of the three years 
was chosen to get the most recent baseline 
after the restructuring of the company and 
to avoid the influence of yearly fluctuations. 
Emission intensity refers to emissions per 
tonne of produced steel. In recent years, the 
reporting details were improved. We have now 
covered 60% of our nickel input by supplier 
specific emission details.

We also follow the well below 2°C scenario 
convergence criteria of the steel industry’s 
decarbonization approach: to reduce emission 
intensity to 0.92 t CO2 per tonne of crude steel 
by 2050. Specific electricity emissions follow 
the electricity decarbonization approach, where 
the specific emission reduction target is 95% 
by 2050.

Low-carbon roadmap
Outokumpu has prepared a roadmap to reach 
the set targets. Electric arc furnace is the 
best available technique for stainless steel 
production. The continuous work to increase 
energy and material efficiency, the amount 
of recycled material and the amount of low 
carbon electricity are currently the main drivers. 
In addition to these, projects have been 
identified.

In Tornio, the majority of direct CO2 emissions 
originate from coke which is used as a reduc-
tant in the ferrochrome production. Carbon 
monoxide is a sidestream from that reduction 
process. It is recycled as a heating fuel in 
ferrochrome and stainless steel production 
and about one third is sold outside. The use of 
carbon monoxide creates CO2 emissions that 
are allocated according to the use either in 
ferrochrome, stainless steel or as outsourced. 
Replacing part or all coke with carbon neutral 
reductants would reduce a notable amount 
of CO2 emissions in Tornio. In the long run, 
direct reduction for ferrochrome could replace 
completely the use of coal-based reductants. 
This technology requires still research and 
piloting and no technology is yet available.

The rest of the direct CO2 emissions come 
from the use of heating fuels, i.e. natural gas, 
propane and a small amount of oil. In the 
long run, these fuels could be replaced either 
by induction heating or by the use of carbon 
neutral fuels, such as biogas or, in some appli-
cations, hydrogen. The third option to reduce 
CO2 emissions in the atmosphere are the use 
of Carbon Capture and Storage / Utilization 
(CCS/CCU). R&D projects have been identified. 

For all above mentioned potential projects, 
both investment and operating costs are higher 
than for the conventional technologies.

Climate scenario analysis
Outokumpu acknowledges the recommenda-
tions from the Task Force on Climate-related 
Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and the underlying 
framework and acknowledges that there are 
financial impacts in a 2°C or lower transitions 
scenario. Outokumpu has performed a 
scenario analysis according to the stated 
policies scenario and sustainable development 
scenario analysis in line with the International 
Energy Agency (IEA) Iron and Steel Technology 
Roadmap 2020. The translation of the 
strategies in financial terms considering the 
transition and physical scenarios is ongoing.

The Stated Policies Scenario takes into 
account countries’ energy- and climate related 
policy commitments, including nationally 
determined contributions under the Paris 
Agreement, to provide a baseline scenario 
against which we assess the additional policy 
actions and measures needed to achieve 
the Sustainable Development Scenario. The 
Sustainable Development Scenario sets out 
the major changes that would be required to 
reach the main energy-related goals of the 
United Nations Sustainable Development 
Agenda, including an early peak and subse-
quent rapid reduction in emissions, in line 
with the Paris Agreement, universal access 
to modern energy by 2030 and a dramatic 
reduction in energy-related air pollution. The 
trajectory for emissions in the Sustainable 
Development Scenario of IEA is consistent with 
reaching global “net-zero” CO2 emissions for 

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Sustainability review

5 / 30

Sustainable operations

the energy system as a whole by around 2070. 
(Source: International Energy Agency (IEA) Iron 
and Steel Technology Roadmap, 2020)

To translate the steel industry scenarios to 
the stainless steel production, it is assumed 
that the emission intensity of the steel sector 
is the same as the intensity of the stainless 
steel production, including scope 3 emissions. 
This approach goes for the company beyond 
the science-based target convergency criteria 
for the sector decarbonization approach. The 
target year of the scenarios is set to 2050 
in line with the company's carbon neutral 
target. The assumption of the Sustainable 
Development scenario includes the possible 
CO2 reduction projects at different maturity 
grades according to the developed carbon 
neutral road map. Additionally, an initiated 
metal recycling project in Tornio will decrease 
the related scope 3 emissions although some 
direct and indirect emission increase will be 
connected to that project. It is assumed in the 
SDS scenario that nickel containing stainless 
steel grades are produced fully by recycling. All 
projects are to be realized during the journey in 
addition to the efficiency improvements. 

Climate change risks
The climate change risks have been analyzed 
on today's situation, as well as on medium and 
long-term time scale. The physical risks were 
estimated by the Atlas of the Human Planet 
of the EU's Joint Research Center from 2017 
and 2019. According to these sources, our 
company’s operation sites are not exposed to 
or have mitigated relevant physical risks. Water 
risk was further assessed on medium and long-
term time scale by the Aqueduct program from 

World Resource Institute for 2030 and 2040. 
Limited risks are detected in that evaluation. 

Only very limited change in risk categories of 
operation sites can be observed. Especially 
the site in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, situated 
in an arid area, will be under future water risk 
increase. The water management of this site is 
in focus and will be further evaluated on future 
water stress.

Opportunities of a 
low-carbon society
Climate change is one of the three megatrends 
driving our business. The life cycle of a stain-
less steel solution can have a lower climate 
impact compared to carbon steel, for example. 
As stainless steel is corrosion resistant and 
a long-lasting material, it stands out in many 
applications of renewable energy production 
such as in high temperature power plants, solar 
farms, and biofuel plants. This growing market 
in the transition to a low-carbon society gives 
Outokumpu the opportunity to increase the 
revenue.

Continuous increasing of material recycling 
and energy efficiency as well as change to use 
lower emission fuel and electricity have signifi-
cantly reduced the product’s carbon profile. 
This is driving the competitive advantage on 
high alloy steel with low-carbon footprint that 
customers are increasingly demanding.

Investors are looking for financing sustainable 
projects or investing in sustainable companies. 
The low-carbon profile of Outokumpu's 
stainless steel enables financial advantages 
in investments and the transition to the 
low-carbon society.

Emissions trading and 
fair competition 
80% of Outokumpu’s all direct CO2 emissions 
fall under the European Union Emissions 
Trading Scheme (ETS). The ETS has finalized 
the third trading period in 2020. In 2020, free 
allocation for the Group was slightly above the 
emissions. The fourth period will remain with 
similar conditions but substantially shorter free 
allocations.

The main risks of the next trading phase 
2020–2030 of the emissions trading system 
to Outokumpu involves the pass-through costs 
of allowances to the electricity price and 
reduction of electricity price compensations. 
In the later part, the company needs to buy 
allowances as some surplus allocations 
available from production decrease in the 
past will be used. The final decision on the 
benchmarks for free allocation is expected 
mid-2021. Allowance prices are expected 
to increase especially as the Green Deal of 
the European Commission requests further 
greenhouse gas reduction, and the benchmark 
for free allocation will decrease. Read about 
the risks related to emissions trading in 
Key risks section. The EU Emissions Trading 
System does not take into account the product 
life span. This is misleading for metal and 
steel products because they decrease CO2 
emissions during their life span more than their 
production phase causes. 

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Sustainability review

6 / 30

Sustainable operations

Focus on energy efficiency

Outokumpu’s operations are energy intensive. 
For the recycled steel to melt, it is heated to 
over 1,400°C. The process requires a high 
amount of electricity as the best available 
technique for melting recycled steel is to use 
electric arc furnaces.

Outokumpu is continuously striving to make its 
production operations more energy and mate-
rial efficient and minimize its environmental 
impacts. Although the melting of recycled steel 
and the production of stainless steel consume 
a lot of energy, stainless steel enables energy 
efficient solutions from a life-cycle perspective 
by saving energy during its use phase. 

In 2020, our improvement of energy efficiency, 
calculated as a sum of different process steps 
including ferrochrome, was 3.6% compared to 

the baseline 2007–2009. The reached energy 
efficiency corresponds to a yearly saving of 
over 0.3 million MWh in 2020. Over the period 
of 2010–2020 the average improvement 
was 7%. The company could not reach the 
target for year 2020 after a ten-year period 
due to changes such as restructuring, new 
grade production mix and the low capacity use 
impacted the specific energy consumption. A 
new target of at least 0.5% reduction per year 
compared to the baseline 2018–2020 in 
energy efficiency by 2030 was set. Additionally, 

Origin of electricity, %

100

80

60

40

20

0

2016

2017

2018

2019

1)

2020

●● Renewable sources
● Nuclear
● Fossiles

1) Includes electricity 
mix of Mexico for the 
first time.

Although the melting of 
recycled steel and the 
production of stainless 
steel consume a lot 
of energy, stainless 
steel enables energy 
efficient solutions from 
a life-cycle perspective.

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Sustainability review

7 / 30

Sustainable operations

cold rolling mills are expected to reach the 
level of best performance of the last seven 
years by 2023. The energy efficiency target for 
2030 is set to reach 3 MWh/t.

Yield optimization improves 
energy efficiency
The biggest energy-saving potential lies in the 
optimization of yield. Yield refers to how much 
sellable products we can make of the metal 
raw materials added to the process. Energy 
reduction and efficiency plans are included 
in environmental management systems at 
all our sites. In the past, we have been able 
to improve our overall energy efficiency by 
reorganizing production sites and optimizing 
our internal supply chain. However, in recent 
years this improvement has not been achieved. 
In 2020, we did not succeed in increasing our 

capacity utilization due to the difficult market 
situation and the COVID-19 pandemic. 

As energy sources, we use natural gas, propane, 
or other fuels, such as diesel. Fossil fuels 
cover about 81% of our total fuel consumption. 
Outokumpu does not consume renewable fuels 
in production processes today, but we utilize 
our own recovered carbon monoxide process 
gas with 19% of our total fuel. Process gases 
and waste heat are also used to heat buildings 
on sites.

Toward low-carbon electricity 
Outokumpu has centralized energy procure-
ment in order to secure a sufficient energy 
supply, to ensure predictable, competitive, 
and stable energy prices, and to optimize the 
energy portfolio also on low-carbon electricity. 

In 2020, 76% of our electricity sources came 
from low-carbon (renewable and nuclear) 
sources. See more details in the data tool 

Outokumpu participates in several programs 
that promote the use of low-carbon electricity 
such as wind power, hydropower, combined 
heat, and power as well as nuclear power. For 
example, the combined heat and power plant 
in Tornio produces heat for the Tornio site out 
of recovered process gases, and in Dahlerbrück, 
Germany, we have our own hydro power plant 
to generate some 10% of the electricity 
needed in the production. Outokumpu is a 
shareholder in a wind power park in Tornio and 
in a new nuclear power plant project in Finland. 

Fuel switch to lower carbon emission fuels is 
ongoing. Natural gas has already been in use 
at our sites in Germany, Mexico, the US, the 

UK and now in Tornio, Finland. We still have 
some improvement potential left in Sweden 
where we are actively studying options for 
alternative fuels. 

Energy used in operations

Terajoules, TJ

Electricity
Carbon monoxide gas
Natural gas
Propane
Diesel, light and heavy fuel oil
Energy

2020

15,735
2,250
7,269
1,828
573
27,655

2019
16,167
2,412
7,239
2,024
668
28,509

2018

17,189
2,275
4,623
4,754
662
29,502

Energy use in GJ per tonne crude steel

11 .0

10.9

10.1

Market-based electricity emission factor, kg CO2eq/MWh

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

*

* Hydro power recs are calculated as fossil fuel 
replacements in specific countries.

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Sustainability review

8 / 30

Sustainable operations

We operate at the heart 
of the circular economy 

Stainless steel is a durable material that 
fits perfectly into the circular economy. 
Recycling saves resources, and stainless 
steel is made of recycled materials and 
is fully recyclable, without any quality 
degradation.

In fact, our stainless steel mills are significant 
recycling facilities, producing new products 
out of recycled steel, recovering and recycling 
everything reasonable in our production, and 
finally selling by-products from the manu-
facturing process to replace natural resources. 

Record high recycled content rate
Recycled steel from both stainless and carbon 
steel is our most important raw material. 
Increasing the recycled content of stainless 
steel is the most efficient way for Outokumpu 
to reduce the overall environmental footprint.

The steel recycled content rate of our stainless 
steel, defined according to ISO 14021, was 
87.8% in 2020. This includes pre- and 

post-consumer scrap. Including the use of 
recycled metal from our waste streams, the 
recycled content of our products was 92.5% 
in 2020. We reached better recycling than 
our target of 90% for 2020. The result might 
have been impacted by the circumstances 
created by the COVID-19 pandemic. We aim 
to maintain the high level of 92.5% until 2023 
and align all the target years in 2023 when the 
first transitional science-based target will be 
revised.

One key factor in reaching such a high level of 
recycled content is the recovery and recycling 
of metals from the production processes, e.g. 
from dust and scales. We are continuously 
looking for best ways to recycle the metals of 

Total waste

Tonnes

Total non-hazardous waste

Recycled

Recovery

Landfilled

The recycled content of 
our products, including 
the use of recycled 
metal from our waste 
streams, was 92.5% in 
2020, exceeding our 
own target. 

Total hazardous waste

Recycled

Recovery

Landfilled

Tailing sands

2020

442,763

46,619

9,657

386,487

152,588

59,635

25,471

67,482

2019

281,646

49,227

17,138

215,281

146,765

12,988

53,252

80,525

1,023,503

1,006,590

2018

356,230

52,736

19,256

284,239

163,555

15,414

47,700

100,442

991,391

9 / 30

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Sustainability review

Sustainable operations

our melt shop dust. Dust recycling increased 
especially at our site in Calvert, the US. These 
sidestreams are either treated on site or by 
an external facility for recycling in our melt 
shops. Metal recycling is the main driver of the 
reduction of the upstream material emissions 
(scope 3). 

In addition to metals, other materials, such as 
slag formers, acids, and gases, are needed in 
the production process although they do not 
become part of the stainless steel products. 
Some of these input materials are needed 
to minimize or prevent emissions into the 
environment. As far as reasonable, these are 
also recovered and recycled in the process. 
For instance, the used acids are continuously 

Total waste development, 
tonnes per tonne steel

0.7

0.6

0.5

0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

0.0

d
n
a
s

g
n

i
l
i

a
T

d
n
a
s

g
n

i
l
i

a
T

d
n
a
s

g
n

i
l
i

a
T

d
n
a
s

g
n

i
l
i

a
T

d
n
a
s

g
n

i
l
i

a
T

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

● Recycled
● Recovered
● Landfilled

regenerated for reuse, and the hydrogen from 
the bright annealing process is recovered in 
the incineration of the process furnace. 

Aim to reduce waste to landfill 
in stainless steel production
Outokumpu’s long-term goal is zero-waste 
stainless steel production, which means that 
all production material streams are studied 
carefully to find the means of fully recycling, 
reusing, or selling them as by-products. Our 
approach to reaching zero waste is twofold: we 
aim to reduce the total volume of landfill waste 
from our own operations and increase the 
proportion of materials sold as by-products. 

The biggest waste items at Outokumpu are slag 
that are not used, tailing sand from the mining 
operation, and sludges, dust, and scales from 
the stainless steel production. While waste 
is recycled whenever possible in our own 
production, our production still generates 
landfill waste. Therefore, we decided to set a 
target for waste (other than slag) going to the 
landfill to be reduced by 0.5% per year. We are 
striving to reduce this even further. 

The amount of tailing sands from the mining 
operation increased in 2020 compared to the 
previous year, as the production of chrome 
concentrate increased. 17.8% of waste from 
stainless steel production was recycled and 
5.9% recovered. Other recovered materials like 
lime, bricks, and some sludges were mostly 
used in our melting shops to substitute virgin 
additive materials like slag formers. Tailing 
sand is deposited in the pond of the mining 
area itself.

Turning slag into by-products 
Outokumpu sold or used 1.13 million tonnes of 
slag as the main by-product of operations. Slag 
is an essential material in the steel melting 
process, and it is made from lime or other 
natural minerals. 

Outokumpu has developed slag-based mineral 
products for road construction, refractory, 
concrete production and for water treatment. 
The use of our slag by-products reduces 
the amount of landfilled waste, saves virgin 
materials, and leads to lower CO2 emissions. 
For example, in road construction, slag use is 
an environmentally and economically sustain-
able solution.

In 2020, the use rate (including use, recovery, 
and recycling) of all slag was 77.1%. The 
remaining 336,700 tonnes of slag were sent 
to landfill. The use rate depends on the local 
market for construction materials and on the 
acceptance of secondary material instead 
of virgin materials. In 2020, less slag could 
be used which resulted in higher amount of 
landfilled slag. 

Reutilizing slag is good 
for the environment
Slag is an essential material in the steel 
melting process. However, once it is 
used, we also sell it under the trademark 
of OKTO to replace the use of natural 
materials, such as sand or crushed rock, 
in construction. In 2020, together with 
Destia, we compared the carbon footprint 
of slag and other road structure materials. 
Results showed that by replacing virgin 
materials, slag significantly reduced CO2eq 
emissions in an actual road construction 
case. In this case, CO2eq savings of nearly 
800 tonnes could be reached.

Utilizing 700,000 metric tons of ferro-
chrome slag annually may save up to one 
million tonnes of gravel and rock. OKTO 
insulation has been used for more than 50 
years already. Over the years, the positive 
environmental impacts have become 
manifold and large areas of rock and sand 
have been spared. 

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Sustainability review

10 / 30

 
 
 
 
 
Sustainable operations

Reducing our impact 
on the environment

Our growing environmental efficiency 
is based on long-term efforts and 
continuous improvement. We constantly 
research and develop new ways of 
operating to reduce the environmental 
impact of stainless steel.

Steel melt shop  
particle emissions, grams/t

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

40

30

20

10

0

The biggest environmental impacts of stainless 
steel production are dust emissions from melt 
shop and ferrochrome production processes 
into the air, water use and discharges from 
production, use of direct and indirect energy, 
and the waste created in the production 
process. We aim to reduce our impact on the 
environment by proactively developing our 
production processes, energy and material 
efficiency, and solutions for the by-products 
from our operations.

In Tornio, Finland the overall impact on the 
environment was analyzed during 2020 in 
connection with the revision of the environ-
mental permit. The impact of the Tornio site to 
nearby sea area is negligible. The fallout via air 
is minimal and in practice not shown outside 
the mill area (modelling done by FMI, Finnish 
Meteorological Institute).

Dust emissions remained low
Steel melting and rolling processes generate 
dust and scales that are collected, treated 
and, whenever possible, recycled in our own 
production. For example, raw material metals 
(chromium, nickel, and molybdenum) are 
recovered from dust, sludges, and scales 
through a specialized recovery plant. 

Our dust filtering systems are extremely 
efficient and remove 99% of the particles. The 

At our Dillenburg 
site in Germany, 
wildflower meadow 
and beehives meet 
stainless steel mill.

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Sustainability review

11 / 30

Sustainable operations

measured particle emissions from all of our 
production processes were 274 tonnes in 
2020 (347 tonnes in 2019). A large amount 
of particles, 128 tonnes, were emitted from 
the ferrochrome production process. However, 
the emission measurement campaigns 
include high uncertainty causing a remarkable 
fluctuation in the results year by year. The level 
of dust emissions from the melt shops is within 
the limits of environmental permits and inline 
with BAT levels. No significant further reduction 
is expected. 

As our main raw material is recycled steel, we 
take all possible precautionary measures to 
check the input material for any unwanted 
content, such as mercury and radioactive 
contaminated material. In 2020, there were 
four incidents involving radioactivity. All of 
the incidents were dealt with in accordance 
with authority guidance and did not cause 
exposure. We work together with our suppliers 
to decrease the amount of unwanted materials 
in our production processes. All input material, 
the liquid steel and waste gas of the melting 
process, is controlled regarding radioactive 
contamination. 

Water withdrawal and discharges

Million m3 

Surface water

Municipal water

Groundwater 

Rainwater 

Water withdrawal by source

Water discharges by type and destination

Cooling water out

Wastewater out

Discharge to surface water

Emissions to water

Metal discharges to water, tonnes

Nitrogen in nitrates, tonnes 1)

2020

46 .1

1 .1

2 .6

2 .4

52 .1

13 .2

22 .1

21 .0

2019

45.4

1.2

2.4

1.8

50.7

13.7

22.4

21.1

41

1,070

34

1,046

2018

44.6

1.4

2.5 

1.2

49.7

13.4

23.4

22.2

25

1,443

1)  Data restated to give the discharged nitrate. Part of the nitrates are treated in a 

municipal treatment plant.

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Sustainability review

Water is reused in production 
Water is used in our production process in 
annealing, pickling, and cooling. The withdrawal 
of water is metered and rainwater is estimated 
by average rainfall and the surface of captured 
rainwater. It is treated and recycled as much 
as possible, and only some is discharged to 
the municipal wastewater system. 

All wastewater is treated in the company’s 
own treatment plants or in municipal water 
treatment systems before it is discharged. 
The main discharges into water are metals 
and nitrates. The discharge is measured and 
supervised by the authorities. In 2020, six 
cases of minor non-compliances occurred. 
They were coordinated with authorities, immedi-
ately removed and analyzed. Wastewater 
treatment depends on the contamination of 
the wastewater. The water is treated directly in 
the water circle at the process step and before 
discharge. According to the needs, treatments 
are oil skimming, neutralization, flocculation, 
and sedimentation to extract metals and, when 
necessary, a Cr(VI) reduction process. Nitrate is 
often treated in the municipal water treatment 
to reduce discharge. In these cases, the steel 
allocated discharge cannot be monitored. The 
water impact is managed by the municipal 
treatment operators. 

The water used in the production is mainly 
surface water and often includes rainwater. 
The impact of water withdrawal is evaluated at 
sites where river water is used, and where the 
data on the river water is available. The impact 
was screened by the percentage of withdrawn 
water compared to the river flow on a yearly 
basis in 2017 and revised in 2020. None of 

the sites had an impact on the river, meaning 
the withdrawal was below 5% at all sites. 
Our production site in Avesta, Sweden, has 
analysed the impact of the water management 
to the river Dalälven. The water quality 
remained unchanged with a very limited impact.

Outokumpu operates a cold rolling mill in San 
Luis Potosí, Mexico, in a dry, arid area, where 
groundwater is a scarce resource for people. 
The freshwater discharge was at about 50 
megaliters. Water recycling and treatment at 
this site are especially ambitious to minimize 
the groundwater impact. According to the water 
risk assessment, future water stress change 
will be further evaluated.

Impacts of the mining 
operation are limited 
Outokumpu operates a chrome mine in Kemi, 
Finland. We are a member of The Finnish 
Network for Sustainable Mining, and Kemi 
mine is committed to the Finnish sustainability 
standard for mining. 

The environmental impacts of the mine are 
very limited due to the nature of the process. 
The minerals are in oxide form and very 
stable with only a minimal amount of sulfur 
compounds. Chemicals are not used in the 
beneficiation process, which is based on gravity 
separation. Kemi mine is almost self-sufficient 
with water as it recycles water on site and 
collects rainwater. The underground mine takes 
drilling water from old open pits (rainwater), 
and drilling water is also recycled inside the 
underground mining process. All dewatering 
from the mine is pumped to the closed circuit 
of the tailings site and concentrator plant on 
the surface level. Furthermore, a significant 

12 / 30

Sustainable operations

Kemi Mine site (nature surveys) which will still 
be updated during 2021.

In Dahlerbrück, Germany a 0.042 km² 
protected area is partly located on the 
company’s property. There are e.g. endangered 
deciduous forests and natural silicate rock 
biotype with some endangered animal habitats 
and plant species such as crinkled hairgrass 
and fern. 

In Calvert, Alabama, the US, some 80 hectares 
of the property is defined as wetland including 
some restrictions on land use. The site 
management has identified as a biodiversity 
aspect that part of the wetland area is home to 
a wide array of wildlife, like wild turkeys, bears, 
fox squirrels, gopher tortoises and snakes, 
among other species.

In 2020, the company started to evaluate the 
possible impact on cultural heritage. 

amount of 1.6 million m³ of rain and snow 
melting waters were collected in the process 
in 2020. Kemi mine discharges 3,200,000 m3 
water, incl. rainwater, from the area, whereas 
the water intake from the municipal supply is 
only 23,500 m3.

During 2018–2021, Kemi mine is carrying out 
a Deep Mine project to increase the resource 
efficiency of the mine. The project is about 
the depth extension and building underground 
mine infrastructure from 500-level to 1,000-
level (meters) below surface. The area of the 
mine site has not been expanded.

The biggest impact on the environment from 
the mine is nitrates in the discharge water 
which originate from explosives. However, 
the amount of nitrates is reduced by natural 
processes in the internal water recycling 
system of the mine site. Another environmental 
aspect is chlorites from underground mine 
water that originates from natural geological 
formations. Land use of mining is limited to the 
existing mining area as mining is underground. 
Tailing sand is deposited in the tailing ponds 
of the mine area which will be landscaped as 
forest when full.

Environmental Impact Assessment process 
has started at the Kemi mine in 2020, and 
the process will continue during 2021. In 
the process, the mine is looking to find more 
sustainable processes related to material 
recovery. 

Biodiversity and cultural heritages 
The production of stainless steel does not 
occupy or reserve large areas of land or have 
a significant effect on the biodiversity of the 

surrounding natural environment. Outokumpu’s 
production sites are not located in sensitive 
areas. However, Outokumpu has identified 
areas of high biodiversity value that are owned 
by the company or adjacent to our sites. 
These sites comprise 80% of the total owned 
land. Areas once utilized by production are 
remediated for further use. 

Outokumpu's site in Tornio, Finland is located 
near Natura protected water areas. No risk to 
the protection basics of those areas have been 
identified according to Natura assessment. In a 
study, some very rare biotopes were found just 
by the mill area as well as also some protected 
animals, such as a frog race and otters. 

The Kemi mine is adjacent to two Natura 
protected peat and wetland areas but no 
indication, claim or report of any negative 
impact of mining activities on biodiversity have 
been identified. The Kemi mine cooperates 
with local ornithological society to monitor the 
local biodiversity. During 2020, the Kemi mine 
and Tornio operations have both done fish 
plantings in addition to permit obligations to 
increase biodiversity. In 2020, there has been 
investigations related to biodiversity around the 

Biodiversity

Site

Area in km2

Percentage

Calvert, US
Dahlerbrück, Germany
Kemi, Finland
Tornio, Finland
Total

4.69
0.063
9.16
6

18.8%
0.3%
36.7%
24.0%
79 .7%

Honey “made by 
Outokumpu” 
At our Dillenburg site in Germany, wildflower 
meadow meets stainless steel mill. The 
surprising wealth of plants and blossoms 
on our plant premises provides nutrition 
for numerous insects. We have among our 
workforce an avid hobby beekeeper, our 
operator Janosch Ritter, who together with 
other our team members have created 
a wildflower meadow to support the 
protection of endangered insect species 
and foster biodiversity.

In the summer, the project team also set 
up beehives. The first honey “made by 
Outokumpu” will be bottled next year. This 
will be done in cooperation with a local 
charity organization that will collect the 
sales revenues. 

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Sustainability review

13 / 30

Sustainable operations

Sustainable supply chain

Our target is to 
transport as much of 
our products by rail 
and ship as possible.

Stainless steel is a durable and long-lasting material used 
by leading brands and demanding industries around the 
globe. As the leading provider of sustainable stainless steel, 
Outokumpu has strict requirements for traceability and 
responsibility throughout the supply chain.

Our customers require assurance that the 
materials for their applications are produced 
and procured in an ethical and responsible 
manner. Our most important raw material is 
recycled steel, which primarily originates from 
Europe and the US where our melt shops are 
located. 

The main alloying element, chromium, 
originates from our own chrome mine that 
differentiates us from our competitors. Our 
mine in Kemi, Finland is the only chrome 
mine in the EU and we produce ferrochrome 
for all our steel melt shops and for sale. We 
are one of the few companies in the stainless 
steel industry with an integrated production 
– covering the production from the mining of 
chromite and ferrochrome production to the 
melting, hot rolling, cold rolling, and finishing of 
stainless steel.

Outokumpu’s supply chain activities are guided 
by our Code of Conduct, Supplier Requirements 
and our Corporate Responsibility Policy. 
Outokumpu is also committed to the Modern 
Slavery Act.

Strict requirements on 
ourselves and our suppliers
As our customers require a lot from us, we 
place the most stringent requirements on 
ourselves, and we require the same from our 

suppliers. All suppliers and subcontractors are 
expected to comply with our Code of Conduct 
or similar standards and meet our supplier 
requirements, which require our suppliers 
to act according to the applicable laws and 
regulations, maintain a quality management 
system, sign general terms and conditions, and 
be able to clearly define, document, and share 
their supply and production control processes 
including material traceability.

We assess our new and existing suppliers, and 
if there is evidence of any kind of violation of 
our requirements, the suppliers are requested 
to provide an improvement plan and evidence 
of improvement. If the situation continues 
without progress, Outokumpu will discontinue 
purchasing from the supplier. There were no 
cases of restricting supply in 2020. 

Outokumpu monitors its suppliers through 
self-assessment, screenings, and audits. Due 
to the COVID-19 pandemic, no on-site audits 
were conducted during 2020. However, a 
supplier performance assessment was 
conducted for 103 of Outokumpu's key 
suppliers in 2020, covering almost 60% of 
key suppliers. In the supplier performance 
assessment, suppliers are assessed using the 
following criteria: technology, quality, supply, 
cost, safety, environment and financial risk. 
As a result, improvement opportunities and 

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Sustainability review

14 / 30

Sustainable operations

improvement requirements were identified and 
communicated to the suppliers. 

General procurement supply chain 
In 2020, Outokumpu had over 9,000 suppliers. 
The vast majority (93%) of the suppliers are 
located in Finland, Germany, Sweden, the UK, 
the US, and Mexico, where Outokumpu has its 
production units. In those locations where we 
have significant production sites, the propor-
tion of spending on local suppliers was on 
level of around 90% for general procurement, 
excluding raw material suppliers. There were 
no major changes in the supplier base during 
the year. 

Raw materials
We take into account the OECD Due Diligence 
Guidance for Responsible Supply Chain. In 
2019, our direct material suppliers were 
screened on the environmental, social, and 
governance (ESG) risks in countries of origin. 
The ESG country risk assessment was based 
on the following seven criteria: regulatory 
quality, rule of law and corruption from the 
World Bank, Environmental Performance Index, 
conflict minerals, child labor, and forced labor. 
The top 20 suppliers cover 80% of the total 
direct material spending. Six suppliers out of 
this group are located in countries with ESG 

risks. During 2020, only one site was audited 
due to travel restrictions but 23 suppliers were 
assessed under the ESG criteria resulting in 
some development discussion and tracking 
procedures.

Finnwatch, a Finnish NGO, published in 
February 2021 a report on Outokumpu's supply 
chain in Brazil. Outokumpu recognizes the 
report and will further investigate the case. 
Outokumpu has started to implement the UN 
Guiding Principles on Business and Human 
Rights. 

Environmentally sustainable 
transportation
Outokumpu’s target is to transport as much 
of our products by rail and ship as possible. 
Our mills have various programs and targets 
to make transportation more environmentally 
friendly, such as the implementation of 
intermodal transportation. In intermodal 
transportation, trucks are used for pre-carriage 
and on-carriage but trains are used for long 
distance transport. Also, the CO2eq emission 
factors of trucks are continuously decreasing 
due to better technique. In 2020, the company 
could significantly decrease the transport 
CO2eq emissions by about 19% although 
production only decreased by 3.7%. 

Material and service suppliers

●  Outokumpu supplier countries, including the most important 
supplier countries with purchases of more than 50,000 euros.

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Sustainability review

15 / 30

Our people & society

We operate safely, always

Protecting the health 
and safety of our 
employees is always 
our top priority, 
and even more so 
during the COVID-19 
pandemic.

Safety is our highest priority. Everyone at Outokumpu has 
the right to a safe and healthy working environment. Strong 
safety performance correlates with improved quality and 
operational efficiency. We aim to be among the industry 
leaders in safety with the vision of zero accidents.

Our safety management system supports us in 
striving toward this goal through various preven-
tive activities. Safety audits are performed 
regularly according to a standardized audit 
program. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 
most of the audits were conducted remotely. 
Our daily work is guided by common safety 
principles, standards, guidelines, and our ten 
Cardinal Safety Rules. 

Hazard observations and Safety Behavioral 
Observations (SBOs) are utilized to flag 
potential risks and unsafe behaviors before 
they lead to accidents. Lessons from past 
incidents are shared with other sites in the 
monthly Safety Call hosted by the CEO.

Our safety network which comprises of every 
site safety manager and is coordinated by the 
Group safety function meets monthly to ensure 
up-to-date safety topics are communicated 
effectively and best practices are shared and 
adopted.

Responding to COVID-19
Protecting the health and safety of employees 
is the top priority at Outokumpu. During 
the year, Outokumpu has taken several 
rigorous safety measures to mitigate the 
negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic 
on people and operations. A group-level crisis 
management team has been responsible for 

coordinating mitigation measures across the 
company. Local crisis teams have implemented 
site-specific rules and instructions according 
to the decisions by the company and local 
authorities.

Thanks to these decisive and well-timed 
actions, the impacts have been limited. We 
continue to monitor the development of the 
pandemic closely in each country that we 
operate in and adjust the needed measures 
accordingly. 

Strengthening positive 
safety culture
During 2020, developing the company’s safety 
culture was focused around creating a positive 
safety culture across the organization. 

The company-wide behavioral safety training 
program SafeStart has been executed at most 
of our sites with approximately two-thirds of 
the employees having completed the training. 
The feedback questionnaire that was filled out 
by participants at the end of the training has 
given a good indication that the program has 
met expectations with positive feedback for 
the trainers who held the trainings. 

In addition to the safety awareness training 
and the regular task and location specific 
safety education, a new e-learning course 

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Sustainability review

16 / 30

Our people & society

Work-related injuries*

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

 Lost time injuries 

 Fatalities 

 Restricted work injuries 

 Medically treated injuries

* Per 1 million working hours.

10

8

6

4

2

0

about controlling contractors in safety was 
launched during 2020. Despite the restrictions 
caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, safety 
trainings at the sites could be arranged 
according to plans by implementing safety 
measures and control systems for minimizing 
any risk.

Safety performance
Proactive safety actions and incidents were 
reported and monitored on a monthly basis. 
The definitions of safety performance indicators 
are based on international standards. Incident 
rates and the rate of proactive safety actions 
(leading indicators) were reported per million 
working hours.

Outokumpu uses total recordable injuries 
per million working hours of employees 
and contractors (TRIFR) as the main safety 
performance indicator. Group TRIFR, our main 

Work-related injuries by region, accident and employee type

Group

BA  
Europe

BA 
Americas

BA Long 
Products

BA Ferro-
chrome Employees

Contrac-
tors

TRIFR 1)

LTIFR 2) 

Total recordable injuries 3)

Fatalities

Lost time injuries

Restricted work injuries

Medically treated injuries

2.4

1.4

53

0

31

6

16

2.1

1.5

25

0

18

0

7

1.6

1.1

9

0

6

3

0

8.1

3.1

13

0

5

1

7

3.1

1

6

0

2

2

2

2.3

1.3

40

0

23

3

14

2.7

1.7

13

0

8

3

2

1)  Total recordable injury frequency includes fatalities, lost time injuries, restricted work injuries and medically treated 

injuries, per million working hours.

2) Lost time injuries including fatalities and lost time injuries, per million working hours.
3) Includes fatalities, lost time injuries, restricted work injuries and medically treated injuries.

safety measure, declined from the previous 
year and was 2.4 against the target of <3.0 
(2019: 3.2). Group LTIFR (lost time injuries 
per million working hours) was 1.4 against the 
target of <1.2 (2019: 1.4).

The rate of all work-related accidents (total 
recordable injuries and first aid treated injuries 
per million working hours) was 13.7 (2019: 
15.3).

Proactive safety action frequency was 5,353 
(2019: 3,810). This includes reported near-
misses, hazard observations, SBOs, and other 
preventive safety actions per million working 
hours.

Health and well-being
Good health and well-being of our personnel 
are essential values on their own. In addition, 
we believe that a healthy and thriving team 
of professionals is an asset to the company’s 
success. We want all employees to return 
home healthy, safe, and sound every day.

Outokumpu encourages its employees to take 
care of their physical health by offering various 
exercise benefits and discounts to sports and 
well-being services. Different health support 
programs are also run across our sites. In 
addition, occupational hygiene measurements 
are being carried out at Outokumpu sites to 
ensure a healthy working environment. 

The number of occupational diseases diag-
nosed in the Group was 0 (2019: 0). The total 
absentee rate was 3.3% (2019: 4.2%). 

Strong safety 
performance,  
strong safety culture
 In 2020, our performance in safety was 
on a very good level as we improved our 
performance especially regarding our total 
recordable injuries. This follows the long 
trend of continuous improvement in safety 
performance, proving that we have been 
able to build a strong safety culture within 
Outokumpu. 

Since 2016, when the new safety KPIs 
were implemented our total recordable 
injury rate has declined over 70% from 
8.7 to 2.4. Our lost time injury rate has 
declined from 2.2 to 1.4.

“Everyone can be proud of this performance 
that we have achieved and the strong 
safety culture we have built. Our focus 
on safety principles, safety standards 
and sharing good practices throughout 
the company has been the key to our 
success. This shows that we are on the 
right path toward our long-term goal of zero 
accidents,” says Alastair McCubbin, Head 
of Health & Safety. 

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Sustainability review

17 / 30

 
 
 
Our people & society

We want to build our employees 
the best work environment

The year 2020 was largely labeled by the impacts of the 
COVID-19 pandemic. Also, the launch of Outokumpu's 
new strategy set in motion a transformation affecting our 
personnel at all levels. Our Ways of Working provide us now 
with the fundamentals that describe our key success factors.

Mitigating the effects of  
the pandemic

The outbreak and the continuous effects of 
COVID-19 strengthened our teams, and our 
joint response proved the cross-functional 
cooperation within the organization to be 
strong. Maintaining the level of collaboration 
and effectiveness of work was a remarkable 
achievement of all the Outokumpu team 
members.

We empowered our employees to work 
remotely whenever possible and helped to 
adjust their work environment according to the 
changed situation and restrictions caused by 
the pandemic. The online meeting methods 
were taken into use without delay, where 
applicable, and adjusting the ways of working 
in operations was systematic and prompt. 

In these circumstances, social interaction 
and face-to-face collaboration have naturally 

shown their value. Nonetheless the amount 
of successfully conducted remote work and 
online meetings will have implications on our 
future ways of interaction. The flexible view and 
practice of combining remote and office work 
will provide our way forward. 

The Outokumpu Ways of Working
To steer our journey toward our vision, we 
commit to promote a high-performing culture 
and Outokumpu Ways of Working. The Ways of 
Working were launched with our new strategy, 
and they clarify and define the way we need 
to work together in Outokumpu in the coming 
years. They consist of six elements: we operate 
safely always, we leverage the power of one 
Outokumpu, we deliver, we grow people 
and value diversity, we act sustainably, and 
we are a trusted partner. The way we work 
at Outokumpu is now condensed in these 
fundamentals that describe our important 
success factors. 

In control rooms our operators ensure that 
the process runs smoothly – all year round .

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Sustainability review

18 / 30

Our people & society

For example, related to valuing diversity, it is 
very important that all people feel comfortable 
to work in the company and can contribute 
equally to our joint journey. There is zero 
tolerance for any kind of discrimination in 
 Outokumpu, whether it is based on ethnic 
origin, nationality, religion, political views, 
gender, sexual orientation, age, or any other 
factor.  Outokumpu’s Code of Conduct sets 
the way of operating in the Group, built on the 
equal treatment of all people.

Our target is to align ourselves in these 
six Ways of Working, thereby gaining the 
ingredients to be a truly high performing 
organization. The Outokumpu Ways of Working 
provide us with a road map: they express the 
requirements for our ways of working to be the 
customer’s first choice in sustainable stainless 
steel. During 2021, our Ways of Working will be 
communicated and implemented throughout 
the organization, and gradually also incor-
porated into our performance management 
system and My Performance Commitment 
development discussions. 

Improving organizational health
We strive to improve our organizational 
health. Elevating empowerment, role clarity, 
and leadership were identified as the key 
development areas for 2020, based on the 
results of our global employee survey Organi-
zational Health Index conducted in 2019. By 
developing our leadership capabilities, we can 
significantly impact our business performance 
and organizational health – hence improving 
leadership and empowerment helps influence 
many other areas of organizational health. 

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Sustainability review

Outokumpu Ways of Working

We operate safely .  
Always .

We work safely, comply with our cardinal safety rules, assess potential risks and take appropriate 
measures to mitigate them. 

We leverage the power of 
one Outokumpu .

We work together, share and combine our knowledge, across functions and regions to create best 
value for our customers. 

We deliver .

We grow people and 
value diversity .

We live up to our promises with clear roles and clear accountabilities. We have a passion for 
continuous improvement.

We foster diversity and create work environment that allows all team-members to contribute and 
develop. 

We act sustainably .

We are driven by creating sustainable impact, environmentally, socially and economically. 

We are a trusted partner . 

We are a reliable and trusted partner towards all our stakeholders, our customers, employees, 
investors and the communities we are operating in.

Although every day work was largely affected 
by the pandemic, many development initiatives 
took place to increase our organizational 
health and employee satisfaction. We clearly 
saw that the development on empowerment 
and leadership supported us also in managing 
the difficult and challenging situation caused 
by the pandemic.

 To ensure alignment with the new company 
strategy and targets the 2020 organizational 
health survey was moved forward. The next 
survey will take place in 2021. By creating a 
common understanding on how we run and 
lead our business, engage and empower our 
people, and moreover how the day-to-day 
behaviors and mindsets are connected to the 
company strategy, this employee engagement 
survey will further support our Ways of Working.

Step-change in leadership
Strong leadership forms a firm foundation for 
our high performing organization, and we aspire 
to grow leaders within our own organization. 
The basis for further leadership development 
in Outokumpu is the implementation of the 
Leadership Pipeline concept and methodology, 
and our Step-Change in Leadership Excellence 
program develops our leaders in all levels. The 
program brings clarity to the expectations 
of different roles and pushes accountability 
forward in the organization in a coherent way. 
The program has been piloted and rolled out in 
several locations, and we are proceeding with a 
top down approach starting with the Outo-
kumpu Leadership team and Group finance 
team. The roll-out will then continue throughout 
the organization, commencing with manage-
ment teams and then cascading within the 
function or location, targeted at strengthening 

the performance of each team and endorsing 
them to become high performing. 

The Step-Change in Leadership Excellence 
program includes workshops where 
management teams learn to function as a 
cohesive unit, with a clear team purpose and 
vision, aligned priorities and key deliverables 
in alignment with the wider Outokumpu 
organization and strategy. The training enables 
individual leaders to complete the transition 
into the leadership role that needs to be 
executed to add most value to their team and 
the organization. 

For the recently appointed administrative 
managers, who have stepped into their role 
for the first time, we have developed in-house 
a program to advance tools and methods 
which drive performance, talent, and rewarding. 
Leadership Pipeline is implemented in this 
program as well as in our License to Lead shift-
leader program to our first-line managers in 

19 / 30

Our people & society

operations. Hence, we will continue enhancing 
the capabilities of our managers to ensure 
alignment in our leadership on all levels. 

A strong focus will be maintained on people 
development and especially in leadership 
development, and the Leadership Pipeline 
program will be executed in more functions 
and teams throughout the entire organization. 

Making a career
In our international and process driven 
organization, key roles require international and 
cross-functional experience accompanied by 
excellent leadership skills. To attract, develop, 
deploy and retain the talent we need for the 
future we have increased the rigor of our talent 
management. This has included executing a 
significant international rotation of leadership 
inside the company: most of our major 
operational units now have new leadership. 
With a new talent management team, we are 
defining the road map for the coming years to 
ensure we employ capable and talented team 
members to take over key positions in the 
future, and the development work continues in 
2021. 

Defining and managing our talent pipeline and 
the different talent pools – young talents, those 
with high potential, and top leadership – form a 
core responsibility of our global talent manage-
ment. Our intensive programs grow these talent 
pools step by step, as we identify and assess 
the potential of our talents in the different 
pools to provide clarity about the strengths and 
development areas of each talent.

For example, the global program Form your 
Future sets the basis for international career 

growth in Outokumpu, targeting newly hired 
graduates. We provide them opportunities for 
international collaboration, coaching, as well as 
efficient presentation and communication skills. 
The program also gives an opportunity to share 
experiences, provide insights and inspiration 
and moreover, get motivated by success 
stories from our current leaders.

Learning and development
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and the 
unexpected change in circumstances, it 
was important to continue the training and 
coaching efforts to further increase role clarity, 
cooperation, and leadership skills to enable 
the best execution of our goals. Thanks to 
the quick and agile shift into virtual learning 
methods and online exercises we were able 
to maintain a fair number of training and 
development measures despite the social 
distancing restrictions and travel guidelines.

Even before the effects of COVID-19, the 
share of e-learnings had risen significantly 
as part of our learning plan and offering. 
Self-evidently growth occurred also after the 
outbreak of the pandemic, providing training 
where learners participate in an online learning 
course at different times, whenever it is the 
most suitable for the participant and at their 
own pace. To keep up the learning processes, 
e-learnings were created, and courses were 
launched in the areas of safety, manufacturing 
excellence, and sustainability. 

We also had a significant increase in the 
quantity of webinars and virtual training 
available. Initially, we experienced a brief 
drop in the number of training sessions as 
events were canceled, but the ways of working 

quickly adjusted. Helping our own subject 
matter experts enhance their training skills has 
encompassed a systematic process for the 
past three years, and amidst the pandemic, we 
saw the benefits materialize. One driver was 
the increased offering of learning sessions for 
trainers instructing on the of use virtual tools 
and methods. Virtual training delivers multiple 
benefits especially in a global company spread 
over several locations and sites. Many of our 
face-to-face and classroom training sessions 
were converted into online versions allowing 
development to continue though people could 
not travel nor meet in person.

To enhance efficiency, customer orientation, 
and the understanding of quality in our 
organization, we will introduce a learning 
program on quality. The modular program is 
targeted especially at our operators and it will 
familiarize our employees with the significance 
of quality – especially to our customers –, our 
quality management system, and the way every 
one of us affects quality.

In total in 2020, 93% of Outokumpu 
employees participated in training sessions 
and programs. Despite the significant increase 
in remote and online training as well as 
webinars, however, the number of training days 
dropped during the exceptional year. Overall, 
the number of training and development days 
amounted to 9,978 (2019: 18,004) and 
79,825 hours (2019: 144,036) during the year.

Setting and achieving targets 
To ensure that managers and employees 
understand their main tasks and how they 
contribute to the business targets and the 
strategy, we have a systematic process for 

More experts in 
problem solving 
We strive to support the development of 
our people, and to facilitate continuous 
improvement in our operations, the 
Outokumpu team members are regularly 
trained and certified as experts in the Lean 
Six Sigma methods and tools. Developing 
process improvement and problem-solving 
skills helps us to improve business 
processes, e.g. by reducing variation and 
eliminating defects and waste.

In 2020, on a regular basis, we celebrated 
the achievement of our employees by 
certifying new Green Belts, who help us to 
continuously improve our processes and 
procedures. 

During the year, these training sessions 
presented an example of the many which 
were promptly transformed into virtual 
format, and projects were executed in 
the altered circumstances, with excellent 
deliverables. 

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Sustainability review

20 / 30

 
Our people & society

setting and achieving individual performance 
and behavior targets as well as a discussion 
about development needs. The core of 
performance management in Outokumpu is My 
Performance Commitment process, MPC.

Consistent execution of My Performance 
Commitment process ensures high 
performance by clarifying responsibilities 
and individual accountabilities. Our target 
setting process starts with the definition of 
the business targets, which are cascaded 
throughout the organization. Each employee 
and their manager agree on individual 
performance targets that contribute to the 
overall business targets on the right level: 
business targets, leaders’ targets, or individual 
contributor targets. 

In 2020, Outokumpu continued its perfor-
mance review process with increasing focus 
on achieving results. Communication tools 
for managers and employees were further 
developed with an intensified attention on 
follow-up and driving a performance culture in 
the organization. To further strengthen engage-
ment and performance among employees, 
Group supported managers with performance 
tools and measures while also providing 
training. Going into 2021, the target setting 
and follow-up will be further strengthened 
and intensified to secure a delivery following 
the new strategy for positioning Outokumpu 
competitively for the future.

My Performance Commitment process is 
documented in our common HR platform 
PeopleDrive. In 2020, 98% of employees in 
applicable countries had a regular performance 
development discussion with their respective 

manager. The remaining 2% are mostly on 
parental or other long-term leave. In those 
countries where local contracts or regulations 
do not make it possible to have performance 
development discussions, Outokumpu follows 
the local procedures.

Through having one global HR ERP system, 
PeopleDrive, Outokumpu has been able to 
improve and harmonize HR processes and 
bring efficiency and better end-user experience 
to managers and employees. During 2020 
Outokumpu conducted several audits to ensure 
high quality of data, acknowledging that the 
global system supports an increasing number 
of other processes and systems within the 
Group. 

Outokumpu’s remuneration principles and 
framework was largely unchanged from the year 
before: incentive plans remained the same 
while the target setting was adjusted. Salary 
budgets were set on very moderate market-
based levels observing the overall difficult 
market situation. Long-term incentive programs 
continue to focus on emphasizing shareholder 
value creation and ownership culture and 
setting a performance culture through Group 
and BA level target setting. The commitment to 
our new strategy and transformation will also 
be reflected in the incentive programs within 
Outokumpu.

Organizational development
As part of our aim for a lean and agile organi-
zation, we started delayering the organizational 
structure. The target is a simplified and flat 
structure with clear roles and responsibilities, 
thereby creating a high level of individual 
accountability. 

In 2020, the number of employees decreased 
by 475 globally. In April we concluded negoti-
ations to reduce our personnel in Germany by 
approximately 370 full-time employees, and 
the measures were close to completion at 
the end of 2020. In the business area Long 
Products, approximately 100 positions were 
reduced by year end. Approximately 70% of the 
redundancies took place in the UK, and shift 
reductions were also implemented in Sweden 
earlier in 2020. In November, Outokumpu 
started employee negotiation processes in 
selected operating countries with the plan 
to create cost savings by restructuring and 
reducing the total employee headcount by 
up to approximately 1,000 mostly by the 
end of 2021. The employee reductions were 
planned to be 270 in Finland, 250 in Germany 
and 190 in Sweden, with further reductions 
planned across the European and Americas 
based operations. Outokumpu has targeted a 
headcount of below 9,000 during 2022.

By cultivating a lean and agile organization, we 
aim to grow an organization with people who 
have the capability of quickly reacting and 
adapting in the changing market environment. 
The year 2021 will see some of our teams 
building their everyday tasks, manners and 
routines after the delayering of the organiza-
tion, as certain functions will need to adapt the 
structures or change the ways of working going 
forward. 

Outokumpu is committed to informing and 
consulting its employees and their represen-
tatives to ensure a greater understanding of 
the company and the competitive situation 
in which we operate. In Europe, continuous 

Keeping it safe 
While we encourage remote work whenever 
possible during the COVID-19 pandemic, 
our mills would not run, and we could 
not deliver top-quality stainless steel to 
our customers, without our ever-present 
experts in several shifts. During the year, 
we took countless actions to ensure the  
safety of those who could not work 
remotely but also to keep our mills up and 
running by global and local guidelines on 
social distancing, hygiene and cleaning, 
travel bans as well as limiting face-to-face 
meetings and visitor access. Our teams 
came up with various solutions like outdoor 
meetings following the rules of social 
distancing.

Here the Americas’ safety team, led by 
Wayne Denton, is showing example of how 
to organize the melt shop team’s safety 
meeting safely. 

Our Americas business area also success-
fully launched virtual customer visits to 
replace real-life visits to our mills. 

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Sustainability review

21 / 30

 
Our people & society

Our people by region

Finland
Germany
Sweden
The United Kingdom
Other Europe

Europe
The United States
Mexico
South America

Americas
Asia/Rest of the world
Group total

collaboration with the personnel takes place 
in a joint consultative body, Personnel Forum, 
which is an information channel between 
our personnel and corporate management. 
Personnel Forum appoints the Group Working 
Committee, which is responsible for the 
ongoing cooperation between management 
and employees. Eight members represent 
employees and three the management. 
Normally, the Personnel Forum meets once a 
year but in 2020, the Outokumpu Personnel 
Forum was postponed and then canceled 
due to COVID-19. A meeting of the Personnel 
Forum is planned to be organized in 2021, yet 
the COVID-19 situation will be monitored very 
closely. Additionally, Group Working Committee 
was heavily affected in 2020 by COVID-19, as 
it was possible to convene face-to-face only 
once, and the other three official meetings 
were virtual. In addition, between mid-March 
and end of June, Group Working Committee 
had weekly COVID-19 update calls.

2020

2,517
2,326
1,888
502
747
7,980
1,010
786
84
1,880
55
9,915

2019

2,502
2,555
1,975
560
727
8,319
1,064
859
87
2,010
61
10,390

2018

2,437
2,667
1,940
571
698
8,313
1,072
903
86
2,061
75
10,449

Outokumpu’s working hours, minimum notice 
periods, vacation times, wages, and other 
working conditions are consistent with the 
applicable local laws. Outokumpu maintains 
a consistent policy of freedom of association. 
All Outokumpu employees are free to join 
trade unions according to the local rules and 
regulations, and in 2020 altogether 79% of the 
Group’s employees were covered by collective 
agreements (2019: 79%). In sum, 2,496 
days in 2020 were lost due to strikes (2019: 
5,424). 

Sharing expertise 
across functions
To enhance the development of training programs 
internally, we have leveraged the power of one 
Outokumpu. With an extensive collaboration across 
functions, operations and different teams, during 
2020 we have constructed for example a vast 
training program concentrating on quality. In the 
future, quality will help us to strengthen our market 
position and we recognize that the foundation for 
high-quality products is built on high-quality culture 
throughout the organization. Thus, the aim is to 
ensure that employees understand how they create 
value for the customer and Outokumpu in terms 
of product quality and how the contribution and 
awareness of each and every one of us is crucial. The 
training is targeted especially at operators and first 
line managers but will also be available to process 
specialists, decision makers and sales teams.

In addition to quality, online and in-house training 
programs have been developed around topics such 
as stainless products and properties as well as 
making of stainless steel from scrap to slab. These 
training programs will be rolled out during 2021–22. 

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Sustainability review

22 / 30

 
Our people & society

Outokumpu and society

Our main areas of direct economic impact are our financial 
interactions with customers, suppliers, employees, the 
public sector, investors and shareholders. 
See taxes by country in our sustainability data tool. 

Local communities
While Outokumpu operates in a global market, 
our production sites are often located in 
relatively small cities or towns. This means 
that we are a significant part of the many of 
the communities we operate in, and often 
one of the very few private-sector employers 
in the area. We recognize that our decisions 
might have a major impact on communities, 
our personnel as well as local suppliers and 
service providers, and we maintain continuous 
cooperation with community officials and 
representatives, other companies, schools, 
and universities. Typically, sites have yearly 
discussions with local community representa-
tives on relevant topics such as employment, 
the environment, energy, or sponsoring of local 
events.

As part of their community engagement, some 
Outokumpu sites also continued their dialogue 
within the community and with environmental 
NGOs related to ongoing permit processes 
or other environmental issues. In 2020, 
Outokumpu launched an Environmental Impact 
Assessment (EIA) procedure related to the 
plans to expand our Kemi Mine. Discussions 
about possible concerns related to the project 
have been conducted with local stakeholders.

Direct economic  
value generated

Economic value distributed

Operating costs 
EUR 4,613 million  
(2019: 5,330)

Direct economic value 
generated and distributed

Revenues
EUR 5,669 million
(2019: 6,535)

Economic values retained in business  
EUR 224 million (2019: EUR 295)

Employee benefit expenses 
EUR 735 million (2019: 774)

Payments to providers of capital 
EUR 92 million (2019: 130)

In this exceptional year, our responsibility as 
a community member was very different than 
it usually is. Cooperation took remote forms, 
when it was not possible to organize events 
due to social distancing. For example, instead 
of organizing open-door events at our produc-
tion sites for neighbors and families of our 
employees, we limited the number of visitors 
at our sites to only business critical visits. Our 
sites followed both Outokumpu’s own and local 
guidelines by authorities to safeguard both our 
employees and the community we operate in.

Public sector and sponsoring
In sponsorships, Outokumpu prioritizes 
connections to stainless steel, sustainability, 
talent, and education. Locally, Outokumpu has 
sponsored, for example, artworks by donating 

Taxes paid to government 
EUR 4 million (2019: 5)

Community investments 
EUR 0 million (2019: 0)

stainless steel, significant local projects, and 
sports associations.

We support research related to our field of 
industry and maintain close cooperation with 
educational institutes. In 2020, for instance, 
Outokumpu strengthened cooperation with 
local educational institutions in Finland with 
Lapland University of Applied Sciences, Oulu 
University of Applied Sciences and Vocational 

College Lappia. This way, the competencies 
and skills needed in the industry can be better 
embedded into curriculums. Students, educa-
tional institutions and Outokumpu all benefit 
from the systematic and long-term cooperation.

Apprenticeships have been offered to local 
colleges, and student placements have 
been made available in the form of one-year 
programs.

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Sustainability review

23 / 30

Our people & society

Associations and public affairs
Outokumpu is a signatory to the International 
Chamber of Commerce (ICC) charter and the 
United Nations Global Compact. Outokumpu 
has signed the World Steel Association’s 
Sustainable Development Charter and the 
ISSF’s Sustainable Stainless Charter and 
joined ResponsibleSteel initiative for the steel 
industry. 

Outokumpu is a member of several inter-
national organizations and provides relevant 
information to decision-makers and experts 
relating to the development of the business 
environment and legislation. The Group also 
participates in the work of trade organizations. 
Our public affairs approach is to communicate 
via industrial associations like Eurofer toward 
governing bodies and regulators. Our total 
spending on association memberships is 
around EUR 2.5 million. 

See the list of our memberships on our 
website. 

Ethics and Compliance
Outokumpu is strongly committed to 
conducting business in a legal, compliant and 
ethical way. The objective of Outokumpu’s 
ethics and compliance program is to ensure 
that Outokumpu and its employees comply 
with the laws and regulations as well as 
Outokumpu’s internal policies and instructions 
and make sound, ethical decisions as part 
of their daily work. The program also aims 
to mitigate compliance risks by a set of 
preventative and supervisory measures. During 
2020 the implementation of all elements of 
the ethics and compliance program continued 

in close cooperation with the leadership, 
business areas and business support functions. 
The compliance governance bodies, including 
Compliance Steering Group and a network of 
compliance contact persons, also supported 
with the implementation of the program. 

Outokumpu’s Code of Conduct is the core 
element of Outokumpu’s ethics and compli-
ance program as it sets the standards for what 
is the right thing to do. That means acting 
honestly, responsibly, and in an ethical manner 
in everything we do. One of the key compliance 
projects for 2020 was the revision of Code of 
Conduct. The revision was made, inter alia, in 
order to incorporate new Ways of Working and 
strategies into the Code of Conduct and to 
comply with the stricter external requirements 
and expectations from the business partners. 
The revised Code of Conduct will be launched 
during 2021 together with the updated, 
mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning for all 
employees. 

Outokumpu’s Code of Conduct sets zero 
tolerance for corrupt practices. Outokumpu has 
also an Anti-Corruption Instruction providing 
more detailed guidance on responsible 
business practices. In 2020, specific anti- 
corruption related communications were made, 
and anti-corruption e-learning was reissued to 
all administrative employees. The e-learning 
achieved a completion rate of 100%. The effec-
tiveness of the anti-corruption e-learning was 
measured through a survey that was launched 
for the first time as part of the improvement of 
internal controls. Communications were also 
made with respect to data protection topic 
and data protection e-learning was relaunched 

in 2020 with the completion rate of 100%. 
To strengthen the enforcement of mandatory 
compliance e-learnings a consequence 
management process was implemented in 
2020. Through this process, the completion 
of the mandatory compliance e-learnings can 
be effectively monitored, and follow-up actions 
can be taken in case of non-completions. 

During 2020 further improvement actions 
also continued in the identified other key risk 
areas, including competition law compliance 
and trade compliance. Within competition 
law compliance, the company’s Competition 
Law Compliance Policy was updated, several 
webinars were conducted for selected target 
groups and communications were made 
through different channels on this topic. Within 
the area of trade compliance, Outokumpu 
has a Know Your Business Partner Instruction 
detailing the principles and rules related to 
establishing and monitoring relationships 
with business partners and managing related 
risks. During 2020, third party risks were 
further mitigated with process improvements 
and organizing several webinars on the trade 
compliance topic for targeted groups. 

Compliance risks, including risks related to 
corruption, are assessed and reviewed annually 
and described in the Key risks section in this 
Annual report. More information regarding 
our misconduct reporting can be found in the 
review by the Board of Directors, Corporate 
Governance statement, and our website. 

Rescue patrol 
ready to serve
At our mills, we have internal task forces 
who support local rescue services by 
taking care of the situation until the rescue 
services arrive. But some of our experts also 
act as on-call firefighters in their community. 

In Nyby, Sweden our task force works 
closely with the local rescue service in the 
Eskilstuna area. Among our stainless steel 
experts, we have eight on-call firefighters 
who work part-time and respond to hundreds 
of emergency calls in their community every 
year. As locals they have good knowledge 
of the area, and they are an important 
part of the local community's emergency 
preparedness, with also certain tasks 
agreed with the authorities. Outokumpu as 
an employer supports our team members’ 
work as part-time firefighters and enables 
their participation in the emergency 
operations and exercises. As compensation, 
Outokumpu gains own experts with solid 
knowledge in fire protection, lifesaving and 
accident prevention work. 

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Sustainability review

24 / 30

Sustainable solutions

Customers and expertise

Our customers are our focus in our new 
vision, to be our customer’s first choice in 
sustainable stainless steel. 

We want to increase our customers’ compet-
itiveness with our products by improving their 
efficiency, profitability, and sustainability. We 
continuously innovate and improve our opera-
tions and products so that we can offer more 
benefits to our customers. Together with our 
customers, we can find new application areas 
where stainless steel can make a positive 
impact as a more sustainable solution. While 
we had to adjust our operations in 2020 to 
meet lower demand, our sales team proactively 
engaged with our customers during these 
exceptional times to ensure the continuation of 
our service and remain our customers’ trusted 
partner. 

Outokumpu has a strong customer base 
spread across the globe on every continent 
and balanced over a range of industries. Our 
customers build and construct infrastructure 
and buildings, produce energy, and 
manufacture appliances and cars. Most of 
our customers are based in areas where we 
have our own production: Europe, the US, 
and Mexico. We also have a global sales and 
service center network that serves customers 
on all the main continents.

Outokumpu conducts regular customer satis-
faction surveys. In the latest one, conducted 

in 2019, 95% of customers were satisfied, 
very satisfied or absolutely satisfied with their 
business relationship with us. Our strengths 
are quick reaction to customer requests, 
understanding customer needs and easy reach 
of contact people, while we need to work on 
our delivery performance. In the exceptional 
year of 2020, we strove to keep our delivery 
performance on an acceptable level but did not 
manage to improve it significantly. 

Customer cooperation goes online
Continuous interaction with customers helps us 
to improve our understanding of our customers’ 
needs, challenges, and business environments. 
This feedback helps us to achieve our growth 
targets and guides us in improving our 
performance, at the strategic and operational 
levels. In 2020, our customer cooperation took 
new remote forms. For example, the Americas 
business area arranged virtual visits with top 
distributor customers. 

In terms of digitalizing our sales channels, 
2020 was a significant step forward. Electronic 
Data Interchange (EDI) has been a main pillar 
of connecting on a transactional level with our 
customers. Additionally, we have been able to 
further expand our web shop offering. All those 

Temoco provides bar 
furniture and chose 
Outokumpu as a 
supplier because we 
are a responsible 
producer of stainless 
steel. 

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Sustainability review

25 / 30

Sustainable solutions

sales digitalization efforts do not only improve 
the customer experience and satisfaction, but 
also help us to further reduce administrational 
effort and cost of sales.

Excess material sold 
online in Germany
In 2020, we took another leap forward in 
our sales digitalization efforts and set up a 
new web shop selling excess material from 
our German mills. Excess material can be for 
instance leftovers due to order cancellations 
and with sometimes very distinct dimensions, 
or material that does not fulfill the quality 
requirements for prime products, such as 
with scratches on the surface, but which are 
still too good to scrap it. We have always sold 
excess material but by a different method and 
a negotiation process. 

Now with the web shop, our select customers, 
who have bough excess materials before, can 
immediately see what is available, and the 
process runs smoothly for both Outokumpu 
and the customers. Our excess material web 
shop was set up in a record short time, in only 
13 weeks. We are looking into possibilities to 
expanding it to Tornio and Terneuzen. 

Bridge built to last
New Pooley Bridge, the first stainless steel road bridge in the UK, was designed by Knight 
Architects to replace the original historic stone bridge, swept away in a storm, and opened up 
for traffic in October 2020. “We found that local people wanted to minimize the risk of future 
flooding, to be able to see the landscape clearly and to include traditional stonework. We also 
needed to minimize the impact of construction on the river,” explains Hector Beade Pereda, 
Head of Design at Knight Architects. 

Using strong duplex stainless steel, bridge designers could create something as slender as 
possible, to help the bridge appear transparent so that people can see the landscape through 
it. The slender design also allows the river to flow freely and avoids backing up during storms. 
The duplex steel is also more tolerant of impacts by debris when the river level is high and 
flowing fast. Light design minimized the impact of construction on the river. 

Find out more on Pooley bridge 

Transforming bar 
industry sustainably
Temoco provides bar furniture for some 
of the Nordics’ leading bars, transforming 
the bar industry sustainably. Morten 
Larssen, the owner of Temoco: “We chose 
Outokumpu because they clearly show and 
act like a responsible producer of stainless 
steel. That business is all but green due 
to the industrial process, but they do 
their best to produce it as sustainably 
as possible. The fact that 90% of the 
raw materials used in their business are 
recycled and 100% recyclable played a 
large part and being located in the Nordics 
ensures fair working conditions. We must 
educate and inform our clients about all 
the benefits sustainable options give to 
the environment and to the economy. We 
believe that more players in the market 
will begin to pay more attention to 
sustainability.”

Watch Morten Larssen describe the 
sustainable business of Temoco 

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Sustainability review

26 / 30

 
 
Sustainable solutions

Research and development

Outokumpu’s research and development function contributes to Outokumpu’s 
new vision to be the customer's first choice in sustainable stainless steel. 

projects mostly concentrate on the develop-
ment of sustainable solutions in certain key 
segments, such as clean energy, transport and 
construction.

R&D infrastructure and networking
Outokumpu is continuously developing its 
R&D infrastructure and laboratory facilities. In 
2020 one of our R&D key assets, the unique 
pilot plant facility at Tornio R&D center, was 
revamped. A completely new automation 
system was installed, and furnace fuel changed 
from LPG to LNG.

Outokumpu has an extensive network of 
external R&D collaboration partners, including 
top class universities and institutes, technology 
suppliers and customers. Outokumpu actively 
participates both in national and international 
collaborative R&D projects and programs. 

Outokumpu's research and development 
(R&D) aims to create extraordinary value for 
our collaboration partners both internally and 
externally by delivering focused projects on 
the current and future product demands of 
our customers, developing and adopting new 
process technologies, ensuring and improving 
efficiency of our production processes, 
ensuring best in class product support, 
securing competitive knowledge and driving 
value by using digital tools and data science.

Further optimization of 
R&D organization
Our R&D works closely together with sales, 
operations and customers to support the 
business and align R&D activities with 
customers’ current and future needs. As part of 
organizational changes made in the Chief Tech-
nology Officer's function, the R&D organization 
was further streamlined in 2020. Both process 
and product R&D teams started to report 
directly to the head of R&D. Outokumpu has 
three R&D centers located in Avesta, Sweden, 
in Krefeld, Germany and in Tornio, Finland. R&D 
activities are focused on the development 
of our production processes, products and 
customer applications. In 2020, Outokumpu’s 
R&D expenditure totaled EUR 21 million, 0.4% 
of net sales (2019: EUR 17 million and 0.3%, 
2018: EUR 15 million and 0.2%). 

Process R&D 
During 2020 the key process R&D projects 
were focused on the optimization of product 
quality, yield, production cost reduction and 
material efficiency. R&D also contributed to 
product transfers between the Outokumpu 
units. A training program to further improve 
the technical competences of our staff at 
production operations was developed and 
launched. Sharing of best practices between 
Outokumpu production sites was also kept 
high in our agenda, facilitated by so called CTC 
(core technology competence) groups involving 
technology experts from both production and 
R&D teams. Process R&D experts continued to 
be actively involved in our industrial digitali-
zation initiatives. A long-term R&D program 
to aiming to reduce the CO2 footprint of our 
operations was initiated.

Product R&D 
The product R&D projects are focused on 
developing new steel grades, characterization 
and improvement of the existing grades, as 
well as the use of stainless steels in different 
end-use application areas. The product R&D 
activities are focused on the Outokumpu 
Pro product family that offers stainless steel 
products for specific applications or demanding 
end use. Product and application development 

Digitalizing Tornio 
moves ahead
In 2020, we have been transforming our 
Tornio mill into the most digitalized and 
cost-competitive stainless steel operation 
in the industry. We built our own industrial 
digital platform based on Microsoft Azure 
technology. We are using artificial intelli-
gence in process optimization, predictive 
maintenance and quality control. Concrete 
examples are surface inspection cameras 
installed in integrated rolling, annealing 
and pickling line as well as software and 
sensory gates in the spare part storage for 
automatic spare part storage inventory.

“This platform will enable us to transform 
from experience-based and intuitive 
decision-making to data-based deci-
sion-making,” says Minna Bhati, Program 
Manager for the program. “Already we are 
using data from Tornio’s machines to help 
close the skills gap between operators 
who have been producing stainless steel 
for decades and those who are new to the 
industry.” 

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Sustainability review

27 / 30

Scope of the report

Scope of the report

Outokumpu has published its sustainability review as part of the Annual Report 2020. 
Sustainability information is also available at www.outokumpu.com/sustainability. 

Outokumpu Oyj reports on the material 
developments of continuing sites and changes 
in 2020 as part of the Annual Report. The 
reported data includes all continuing sites. 
Additional information is published on the 
company’s website. The Annual Report 2020, 
including Sustainability Review, was published 
in March 2021.

Outokumpu’s report has been prepared in 
accordance with the GRI Standards: Core 
option according to the GRI Standards 
reporting requirements. The materiality 
assessment from 2018 and continuous 
communication with stakeholders were the 
basis for the decision on material topics and 
relevant disclosures. 

Full GRI disclosure 

The independent practitioner’s assurance 
report on the limited assurance conclusion 
is available on page 30 in the Sustainability 
Review. The Financial Statements 2020 have 
been audited, and the auditor’s report is 
available after the FInancial statements.

Measurement and 
estimation methods
Economic responsibility
Most figures relating to economic responsibility 
presented in this report are based on the 
consolidated financial statements issued by 
the Outokumpu Group and collected through 
Outokumpu’s internal consolidation system. 
Financial data has been prepared in accor-
dance with International Financial Reporting 
Standards (IFRS). Outokumpu’s accounting 
principles for the Group’s consolidated 
financial statements are available in note 2 to 
the consolidated financial statements.

All financial figures presented have been 
rounded, and consequently the sum of indi-
vidual figures may deviate from the presented 
aggregate figure. Key figures have been 
calculated using exact figures. Using the GRI 
guidelines as a basis, economic responsibility 
figures have been calculated as follows:

Direct economic value generated

Direct economic value generated includes all 
revenues received by Outokumpu during the 
financial year. The sources of revenue include 
sales invoiced to customers, net of discounts 
and indirect taxes, revenues reported as 
other operating income (including gains from 
the disposal of Group assets), and revenues 
reported as financial income, mainly dividend 
and interest income.

Economic value distributed

Operating costs include the cost of goods and 
services purchased by Outokumpu during the 
financial year. Employee benefit expenses 
include wages and salaries, termination 
benefits, social security expenses, pension 
and other post- employment and long-term 
employee benefits, expenses from share-based 
payments and other personnel expenses. 
Taxes paid to the government include income 
taxes. Deferred taxes are excluded from the 
figure. Payments to providers of capital include 
interest costs on debt and other financial 
expenses during the financial year. Capitalized 
interest is deducted from this figure. The 
dividend payout is included in the payments to 
providers of capital according to the proposal 
by Outokumpu’s Board of Directors. 

Community investments consist of donations 
to and investments in beneficiaries external to 
the company.

Local suppliers

In this report, vendors are defined as local if 
they are located in the same country as the 
Outokumpu location. Significant locations for 
suppliers are production units that have a 
melt shop, ie. Avesta, Sweden; Calvert, the US; 
Sheffield, the UK and Tornio, Finland.

Environmental responsibility
Outokumpu’s climate change target is based 
on science and approved by the Science Based 
Target initiative. The target includes CO2 eq 

intensity of direct and indirect emissions of 
electricity and upstream emissions. Emissions 
are consolidated on production control.

CO2 eq emissions of electricity are calculated 
and monitored by the emissions factor of 
Outokumpu’s electricity mix of 152 kg CO2 
eq/MWh (2019: 167 kg CO2 eq/MWh), 
given by the electricity supplier for the used 
electricity and calculated as weighted average. 
Some hydro power recs were calculated as 
replacing fossil fuel of the concerning country. 
In addition, the location-based electricity 
emissions are disclosed. They are calculated 
by the published country- specific emissions 
factors of the electricity generation of 2018 or 
2019 if available. 

CO2 eq emissions outside the company 
(scope 3), except electricity, are covered by 
more than 96%. They are calculated as follows: 

•  For alloys: by emissions factors of the 

life-cycle assessment of relevant association.
Emission factor of ferronickel was calculated 
with 58% from supplier specific emissions 
and 42% of LCA e-factor. Emissions of 
sold ferrochrome are not allocated to the 
stainless steel production of the company.

•  For used gases, lime and dolomite, 

electrodes and coke: by emissions factors of 
ISO 14404.

•  For upstream emissions of coke and oil: by 

emissions factors of WorldSteel Association. 

•  For internal and product transport: by 
typical distances and type of transport 
with the corresponding emissions factors. 
The coverage of reporting includes all 

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Sustainability review

28 / 30

Scope of the report

modes of transport, including intermodal 
transportation.

•  For business travel: by estimated driven 
kilometers with emissions factors for the 
car, and for flights by CO2 eq reports of the 
flight companies. Rental car emissions are 
included by the rental car company report.

Upstream transport was assessed on data of 
environmental product declaration of 2020 but 
excluded from scope 3 emissions.

The recycled content according to ISO 14021 
(recycled steel content) is calculated as the 
sum of pre and post consumer scrap related to 
crude steel production. Additionally, we report 
on the recycled content including all recycled 
metals from treated own waste streams 
entering the melt shop.

Energy efficiency is defined as the sum of 
specific fuel and electricity energy of all 
processes calculated as energy consumption 
compared to the product output of that 
process. It covers all company productions: 
ferrochrome with 15%, melt shop, hot rolling 
and cold rolling processes. Used heat values 
and the consumption of energy are taken from 
supplier's invoices. 

Water withdrawal is measured for surface water, 
taken from municipal suppliers and estimated 
for rainwater amount.

Waste is separately reported for mining and 
stainless production. In mining, amount of 
non-hazardous tailing sands is reported. 
For stainless production hazardous and 
non-hazardous wastes are reported as recycled, 
recovered and landfilled. Waste treated is 
counted as landfilled waste.

Social responsibility

Health and safety figures

Health and safety figures reflect the scope of 
Outokumpu’s operations as they were in 2020.

Safety indicators (accidents and preventive 
safety actions) are expressed per million hours 
worked (frequency). Safety indicators include 
Outokumpu employees, persons employed by a 
third party (contractor) or visitor accidents and 
preventive safety actions. A workplace accident 
is the direct result of a work-related activity 
and it has taken place during working hours at 
the workplace.

Accident types

•  Lost time injury (LTI) is an accident that 
caused at least one day of sick leave 
(excluding the day of the injury or accident), 
as the World Steel Association defines it. 
One day of sick leave means that the injured 
person has not been able to return to work 
on their next scheduled period of working 
or any future working day if caused by an 
outcome of the original accident. Lost-day 
rate is defined as more than one calendar 
day absence from the day after the accident 
per million working hours.

•  Restricted work injury (RWI) does not cause 
the individual to be absent, but results in 
that person being restricted in their capabil-
ities so that they are unable to undertake 
their normal duties.

•  Medically treated injury (MTI) has to be 

treated by a medical professional (doctor or 
nurse).

•  First aid treated injury (FTI), where the injury 
did not require medical care and was treated 
by a person themselves or by first aid trained 
colleague.

•  Total recordable injury (TRI) includes 

fatalities, LTIs, RWIs and MTIs, but FTIs are 
excluded.

•  All workplace accidents include total 

recordable injuries (TRI) and first aid treated 
injuries (FTI)

Proactive safety actions

Hazards refer to events, situations or actions 
that could have led to an accident, but where 
no injury occurred. Safety behavior observa-
tions (SBOs) are safety-based discussions 
between an observer and the person being 
observed. Other preventive safety action 
includes proactive measures.

Sick-leave hours and absentee rate

Sick-leave hours reported are total sick leave 
hours during a reporting period. Reporting units 
provide data on absence due to illness, injury 
and occupational diseases on a monthly basis. 
The absentee rate (%) includes the actual 
absentee hours lost expressed as a percentage 
of total hours scheduled.

Total personnel costs

This figure includes wages, salaries, bonuses, 
social costs or other personnel expenses, as 
well as fringe benefits paid and/or accrued 
during the reporting period.

Training costs

Training costs include external training-related 
expenses such as participation fees. Wages, 

salaries and daily allowances for participants 
in training activities are not included, but the 
salaries of internal trainers are included.

Training days per employee

The number of days spent by an employee in 
training when each training day is counted as 
lasting eight hours. 

Bonuses

A bonus is an additional payment for good 
performance. These figures are reported 
without social costs or fringe benefits.

Personnel figures

Rates are calculated using the total employee 
numbers at the end of the reporting period. 
The calculations follow the requirements of GRI 
Standards. The following calculation has been 
applied e.g.

Hiring rate = New Hires / total number of 
permanent employees by year-end

Average turnover rate = (Turnover + New Hires) 
/ (total number of permanent employees by 
year-end × 2)

Days lost due to strikes

The number of days lost due to strikes is calcu-
lated by multiplying the number of Outokumpu 
employees who have been on strike by the 
number of scheduled working days lost. The 
day on which a strike starts is included. 

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Sustainability review

29 / 30

Independent assurance report

Independent Practitioner’s Assurance Report 

December 2020 is not properly prepared, in 
all material respects, in accordance with the 
Reporting criteria.

When reading our assurance report, the 
inherent limitations to the accuracy and 
completeness of sustainability information 
should be taken into consideration.

Helsinki, 25 February 2021

PricewaterhouseCoopers Oy

Tiina Puukkoniemi 

Janne Rajalahti

Partner 
Authorised Public 
Accountant (KHT) 

Partner 
Authorised Public   
Accountant (KHT)

To the Management of 
Outokumpu Oyj
We have been engaged by the Management of 
Outokumpu Oyj (hereinafter also the Company) 
to perform a limited assurance engagement 
on selected sustainability disclosures for the 
reporting period 1 January to 31 December 
2020, disclosed in Outokumpu Oyj’s 
Sustainability Review 2020 and in Outokumpu 
Oyj’s online sustainability tool. In terms of the 
Company’s GRI Standards reporting and GRI 
Standards Content Index, the scope of the 
assurance has covered economic, social and 
environmental sustainability disclosures listed 
within the Topic-Specific Disclosures as well 
as General Disclosures 102-8 and 102-41 
(hereinafter Sustainability Information).

Management’s responsibility 
The Management of Outokumpu Oyj is 
responsible for preparing the Sustainability 
Information in accordance with the Reporting 
criteria as set out in the Company’s reporting 
instructions and the GRI Sustainability 
Reporting Standards of the Global Reporting 
Initiative. The Management of Outokumpu Oyj 
is also responsible for such internal control as 
the management determines is necessary to 
enable the preparation of the Sustainability 
Information that is free from material misstate-
ment, whether due to fraud or error.

Practitioner’s independence 
and quality control
We have complied with the independence 
and other ethical requirements of the Code of 
Ethics for Professional Accountants issued by 
the International Ethics Standards Board for 

Accountants, which is founded on fundamental 
principles of integrity, objectivity, professional 
competence and due care, confidentiality and 
professional behaviour.

PricewaterhouseCoopers Oy applies 
International Standard on Quality Control 1 
and accordingly maintains a comprehensive 
system of quality control including documented 
policies and procedures regarding compliance 
with ethical requirements, professional 
standards and applicable legal and regulatory 
requirements.

Practitioner’s responsibility
Our responsibility is to express a limited 
assurance conclusion on the Sustainability 
Information based on the procedures we have 
performed and the evidence we have obtained. 
Our assurance report has been prepared in 
accordance with the terms of our engagement. 
We do not accept, or assume responsibility to 
anyone else, except to Outokumpu Oyj for our 
work, for this report, or for the conclusions that 
we have reached.

We conducted our limited assurance engage-
ment in accordance with the International 
Standard on Assurance Engagements (ISAE) 
3000 (Revised) “Assurance Engagements 
Other than Audits or Reviews of Historical 
Financial Information”. That standard requires 
that we plan and perform the engagement to 
obtain limited assurance about whether the 
Sustainability Information is free from material 
misstatement.

In a limited assurance engagement the 
evidence-gathering procedures are more 
limited than for a reasonable assurance 

engagement, and therefore less assurance 
is obtained than in a reasonable assurance 
engagement. An assurance engagement 
involves performing procedures to obtain 
evidence about the amounts and other 
disclosures in the Sustainability Information. 
The procedures selected depend on the 
practitioner’s judgement, including an assess-
ment of the risks of material misstatement of 
the Sustainability Information.

Our work consisted of, amongst others, the 
following procedures:

•  Interviewing senior management of the 

Company.

•  Conducting three video interviews with sites 
in Finland, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

•  Interviewing employees responsible for 

collecting and reporting the Sustainability 
Information at the Group level and at the site 
level where our online site visits and video 
interviews were conducted.

•  Assessing how Group employees apply 

the Company’s reporting instructions and 
procedures.

•  Testing the accuracy and completeness of 

the information from original documents and 
systems on a sample basis.

•  Testing the consolidation of information and 
performing recalculations on a sample basis.

Limited assurance conclusion
Based on the procedures we have performed 
and the evidence we have obtained, nothing 
has come to our attention that causes us to 
believe that Outokumpu Oyj’s Sustainability 
Information for the reporting period ended 31 

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Sustainability review

30 / 30

Review by  
the Board of 
Directors and  
Financial 
statements

REVIEW BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2

Group key figures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Alternative performance measures  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Share-related key figures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Consolidated statement of income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income . . . . 19

Consolidated statement of financial position . . . . . . . . . 20

Consolidated statement of cash flows . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  21

Consolidated statement of changes in equity . . . . . . . . 22

Notes to the consolidated financial statements  . . . . . . 23

Income statement of the parent company . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Balance sheet of the parent company . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  67

Cash flow statement of the parent company . . . . . . . . . 68

Statement of changes in equity of the parent company . 69

Commitments and contingent liabilities of  
the parent company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

AUDITOR’S REPORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Outokumpu’s financial statements according to the ESEF regulation are published at  
www.outokumpu.com/reports. 

Review by the Board of Directors

Throughout 2020 Outokumpu continued 
rigorous measures to mitigate the negative 
impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic 
on its employees, operations and business. 
The Group concluded the year without any 
pandemic-related production losses. In safety, 
the year was the strongest on record with 
the total recordable injury frequency rate 
of 2.4, surpassing the target of below 3.0. 
Outokumpu increased its already high share of 
recycled content in production to over 90% and 
decreasing its CO2 footprint, which is already 
the lowest in the industry. Outokumpu was also 
able to reduce its net debt to the lowest level 
in recent history. 

Business area Europe’s deliveries remained 
relatively stable, but the result was negatively 
impacted by significantly deteriorated prices 
and weaker product mix. The Americas 
continued its successful turnaround with the 
adjusted EBITDA reaching EUR 55 million, an 
improvement of over EUR 80 million from 
2019. The ferrochrome production remained 
on a record-high level. The Long Products 
business area is going through a compre-
hensive turnaround program. Outokumpu is 
decisively executing its new strategy to reach 
its financial targets of EUR 200 million EBITDA 
run-rate improvement and net debt to EBITDA 
of below 3.0× by the end of 2022. 

Responding to COVID-19
Safety is a key priority at Outokumpu, and the 
company is committed to protecting the health 
and safety of its employees. Outokumpu has 
several safety measures in place to ensure 
the safety of people and to mitigate the 
negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Outokumpu monitors the COVID-19 situation 
closely in each country in which it operates 
and adjusts the required measures accordingly. 
Despite the exceptional times brought about 
by the pandemic the company delivered its 
strongest annual safety performance on record 
and safety continues to be a key priority.

Outokumpu has contingency plans in place 
to mitigate operational and financial risks. 
Thanks to decisive and well-timed actions 
taken by the company, the negative impacts 
of the COVID-19 pandemic on Outokumpu’s 
operations have been very limited. Outokumpu 
has been able to operate efficiently throughout 
the pandemic and has successfully adjusted 
its operations to meet the current demand 
level. Outokumpu also initiated immediate cost 
compression measures when the COVID-19 
pandemic began to affect global stainless 
steel demand. The actions have continued 
throughout the year and tight cost control has 
supported the company’s profitability and cash 
flow in 2020. 

As a response to the pandemic, Outokumpu 
reduced its capital expenditures to EUR 180 
million in 2020. Furthermore, the cash release 
from the net working capital reduction was 
significantly above the targeted level of EUR 
100 million. Included here are the deferred 
VAT payments in Finland of EUR 75 million 
of which EUR 61 million was still outstanding 
at year-end for up to one and a half years. In 
November Outokumpu closed the sale and 
lease back transaction regarding its service 
center premises in Hockenheim, Germany 
with net cash proceeds of EUR 14 million. 
Including this transaction, Outokumpu was able 
to release a total of EUR 23 million of cash 

from non-core assets. In general, the COVID-19 
situation slowed down the divestments of 
non-core assets and the original target to book 
approximately EUR 40 million of proceeds in 
2020 did not materialize as planned.

Outokumpu has successfully managed its 
liquidity through the pandemic and company’s 
financial position has remained stable. Cash 
and cash equivalents amounted to EUR 376 
million at the end of 2020 and the total 
liquidity reserves increased to over EUR 1.0 
billion. Outokumpu issues new EUR 125 million 
convertible bond in July and signed together 
with a group of banks a SEK 1,000 million 
revolving credit facility, guaranteed by the 
Swedish Export Credit Agency EKN, in October. 
In December, Outokumpu agreed an amend-
ment and extension of its syndicated revolving 
credit facility allowing for two consecutive 
yearly extension requests of the maturity dates 
until the end of May 2024. Out of the EUR 
574 million maturing at the end of May 2022, 
a facility amount of EUR 532 million has been 
extended until the end of May 2023. The 
financial covenants of Outokumpu’s financial 
agreements are based on debt-to-equity 
ratio and Outokumpu remains in compliance 
with the financial covenants of its financing 
agreements.

Market development 
The global real demand for stainless steel 
products amounted to 42.8 million tonnes 
in 2020 and decreased by 3.3% from 44.3 
million tonnes in 2019. The demand in EMEA 
and Americas decreased by 12.1% and 12.3%, 
respectively, while APAC only decreased by 
0.2%. Annual demand decreased the most, 

by 15.6%, in the Automotive & Heavy Transport 
segment. Demand in Industrial & Heavy Industry 
decreased by 4.8%, in ABC and Infrastructure by 
3.3%, in Chemical, Petrochemical and Energy by 
2.3% and in Consumer Goods and Medicals by 
0.5%. (Source: SMR, January 2021)

Financial performance
In 2020, Outokumpu’s sales decreased to EUR 
5,639 million (EUR 6,403 million) and adjusted 
EBITDA to EUR 250 million (EUR 263 million). 
EBIT decreased to EUR  –55 million (EUR 33 
million) in 2020 and the net result was EUR 
–116 million (EUR –75 million).

Sales

€ million

Europe
Americas
Long Products
Ferrochrome
Other operations
Intra-group sales
The Group

2020

3,568
1,195
493
411
665
–693
5,639

2019

4,089
1,346
642
461
653
–788
6,403

2018

4,267
1,715
740
542
587
–980
6,872

Stainless steel deliveries declined by 3% 
compared to the previous year as a result of 
weaker demand and were 2,121,000 tonnes 
(2,196,000 tonnes). In addition, prices were 
significantly lower in Europe and declined also in 
Americas compared to the previous year. Various 
cost saving measures supported profitability and 
both input costs as well as fixed costs were at a 
lower level compared to the previous year. Raw 
material-related inventory and metal derivative 
losses amounted to EUR 16 million in 2020 
compared to the losses of EUR 64 million in 
2019. 

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Review by the Board of Directors

2 / 17

Review by the Board of DirectorsAs part of the actions for reaching the financial 
targets of the first phase of its strategy and 
creating cost savings, Outokumpu carried out 
employee negotiation processes in selected 
countries in 2020 aiming to reduce the 
headcount by up to approximately 1,000 (10% 
of the Group total headcount) by the end 
of 2021. As a result, in 2020, Outokumpu 
recognized EUR 59 million restructuring costs 
related to personnel reduction measures, 
reported as adjustments to EBITDA. Most of 
these costs were provisions where the cash 
outflow will take place mainly in 2021. The 
adjustments to EBITDA in 2019 included 
restructuring provisions of EUR 53 million and 
a gain on a real estate sale of EUR 70 million.

Operating cash flow amounted to EUR 322 
million in 2020 (EUR 371 million). The net 
working capital reduced by EUR 247 million in 
2020 (EUR 218 million) including the impact 
from the deferred VAT payments in Finland 
of EUR 61 million at the year-end. Net debt 
amounted to EUR 1,028 million at the end of 
2020, a decrease from EUR 1,155 million at 
the end of 2019. Gearing was 43.6%, lower 
than at the end of 2019 (45.1%).

Net financial expenses were EUR 98 million in 
2020 (EUR 80 million) and interest expenses 
EUR 78 million (EUR 76 million). Cash and 
cash equivalents were at EUR 376 million at 
the end of 2020 (EUR 325 million) and the 
total liquidity reserves were EUR 1.0 billion 
(EUR 1.0 billion). In addition, Outokumpu has 
unutilized EUR 76 million short-term portion 
of the syndicated facility available and EUR 
34 million financing facility, which can be 
used to finance certain part of the Kemi mine 
investment. 

Sales, € 5,639 million

(cid:31)  Europe 62%
(cid:31)  Americas 21%
(cid:31)  Long Products 7%
(cid:31)  Ferrochrome 3%
(cid:31)  Other operations 7%

Adjusted EBITDA, € million

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

500

400

300

200

100

0

–100

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

EBIT, € million

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Profitability

€ million

Adjusted EBITDA

Europe
Americas
Long Products
Ferrochrome
Other operations and intra-group items

Group adjusted EBITDA

Adjustments

EBITDA

EBIT
Share of results in associated companies 
Financial income and expenses
Result before taxes
Income taxes
Net result for the financial year

Adjusted EBITDA margin, %
EBIT margin, %
Return on capital employed, %
Earnings per share, €
Diluted earnings per share, €
Net cash generated from operating activities

2020

2019

2018

142
55
–8
91
–29
250
–59
191

–55
2
–98
–151
34
–116

4 .4
–1 .0
–1 .4
–0 .28
–0 .28
322

216
–27
–7
96
–15
263
3
266

33
6
–80
–41
–33
–75

4.1
0.5
0.8
–0.18
–0.18
371

248
–5
25
210
7
485
10
496

280
3
–107
175
–45
130

7.1
4.1
7.0
0.32
0.32
214

Outokumpu adopted IFRS 16 – Leases on January 1, 2019. Comparative information was not restated, but 
transition impacts of EUR 131 million were recognized into January 1, 2019 property, plant and equipment, and 
non-current and current debt, respectively. 

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Review by the Board of Directors

3 / 17

Review by the Board of DirectorsKey financial indicators on financial position

€ million

Net debt

Non-current debt
Current debt
Cash and cash equivalents

Net debt

Shareholders’ equity
Return on equity, % 
Debt-to-equity ratio, %
Equity-to-assets ratio, %
Interest expenses

Capital expenditure, measured on cash-basis, 
amounted to EUR 180 million in 2020 (EUR 
193 million). The ongoing investments include 
the Kemi mine expansion, ferritics capabilities 
in Calvert, Fennovoima project and the digital 
transformation project Chorus, including the 
ERP renewal.

Capital expenditure

€ million

Europe
Americas
Long Products
Ferrochrome
Other operations
The Group

Depreciation and amortization

Capital expenditure definition changed from accrual-
based to cash-based capital expenditure in 2020. 
Figures for 2019 and 2018 have been restated 
accordingly.

2020

2019

2018

1,153
251
376
1,028

2,360
–4 .7
43 .6
40 .8
78

1,053
427
325
1,155

2,562
–2.8
45.1
42.5
76

798
511
68
1,241

2,750
4.8
45.1
45.9
70

Earnings per share, €

Net debt, € million

1.0

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0.0

–0.2

–0.4

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Debt-to-equity ratio, %

Equity-to-assets ratio, %
Equity-to-assets ratio, %

80

60

40

20

0

2,000

1,500

1,000

500

0

50

40

30

20

10

0

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2020

2019

2018

Capital expenditure and 
depreciation, € million

34
16
3
92
35
180

243

51
21
16
77
28
193

75
19
22
47
55
218

230

204

400

300

200

100

0

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

4

3

2

1

0

Capital expenditure definition changed from accrual-
based to cash-based capital expenditure in 2020. 
Figures for 2019 and 2018 have been restated 
accordingly. Figures for 2017 and 2016 have not 
been restated.

  Capital expenditure 
  Capital expenditure, % of sales

 Depreciation 

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Review by the Board of Directors

4 / 17

Review by the Board of DirectorsBusiness areas
Europe’s sales decreased to EUR 3,568 million 
in 2020 compared to EUR 4,089 million in 
2019 and adjusted EBITDA decreased to 
EUR 142 million (EUR 216 million). Stainless 
steel deliveries remained relatively stable 
and decreased only by 1% compared to the 
previous year and amounted to 1,440,000 
tonnes (1,459,000 tonnes). The 2020 result 
was negatively impacted by significantly 
deteriorated prices and weaker product mix. 
Costs were at a lower level compared to 
the previous year, and positive raw material 
impacts supported profitability in 2020. Raw 
material-related inventory and metal derivative 
losses were EUR 11 million in 2020 (losses 
of EUR 19 million). Adjustments to EBITDA 
included EUR 47 million of restructuring costs 
relating to personnel reductions in 2020 (EUR 
53 million of restructuring costs and EUR 70 
million of gains on the sale of real estate). 
In 2020, real demand in the EMEA region 
decreased by 12.1% compared to 2019 and 
the apparent consumption by 10.8% (Sources: 
SMR, January 2021 and CRU, January 2021).

Americas’ sales decreased to EUR 1,195 
million in 2020 compared to EUR 1,346 
million in 2019. Adjusted EBITDA increased 
to EUR 55 million (EUR –27 million). Stainless 
steel deliveries decreased by 2% in 2020 to 
588,000 tonnes (601,000 tonnes). Positive 
impacts from improved product mix were 
offset by weaker prices in 2020 compared to 
2019. However, positive raw material impacts 
and lower costs supported profitability. Raw 
material-related inventory and metal derivative 
losses were EUR 1 million in 2020 (losses 
of EUR 40 million). In 2020, US real demand 

decreased by 11% compared to the previous 
year, and in the Americas region the decrease 
was 12.3% (Source: SMR, January 2021 and 
American Iron & Steel Institute, January 2021).

Long Products’ sales amounted to EUR 493 
million in 2020 compared to EUR 642 million 
in 2019 and adjusted EBITDA amounted to 
EUR –8 million (EUR –7 million). Stainless 
steel deliveries decreased by 23% to 175,000 
tonnes in 2020 compared to 2019 (226,000 
tonnes). The negative impact from lower 
volumes in 2020 was partly offset by stronger 
product mix compared to 2019. Lower input 
costs compared to previous year and cost 
saving initiatives supported profitability in 
2020. Raw material-related inventory and 
metal derivative losses were EUR 3 million in 
2020 compared to losses of EUR 9 million in 
2019. Adjustments to EBITDA in 2020 include 
EUR 3 million of restructuring costs relating to 
personnel reductions.

Ferrochrome’s sales amounted to EUR 411 
million in 2020 compared to EUR 461 million 
in 2019. Adjusted EBITDA amounted to EUR 
91 million (EUR 96 million). Ferrochrome 
production remained at record-high levels in 
2020 producing 498,000 tonnes (505,000 
tonnes). Pricing was weaker in 2020 but 
profitability was positively impacted by lower 
input costs compared to 2019. 

Non-financial development 
at Outokumpu
Outokumpu is a leading global producer of 
stainless steel with world-class production 
assets in its key markets in Europe and the 
Americas, and a global sales and service 
network close to its international customers. 

Stainless steel is a significant contributor to 
building a sustainable world. Stainless steel is 
used in building and construction, infrastruc-
ture, appliances, transportation, and heavy 
industries. It is a strong, corrosion-resistant, 
hygienic, and aesthetic material with a high 
strength-to-weight ratio and no need for 
maintenance.

Climate change is one of the three megatrends 
driving Outokumpu’s business, together with 
economic and population growth and urban-
ization. The properties and the low carbon 
profile of Outokumpu’s stainless steel can help 
customers to reduce their carbon footprint. 
Market for solutions enabling the transition to 
low carbon society will increase on the way to 
2 degree or 1.5 degree scenarios for 2050.

Outokumpu acknowledges the recommenda-
tions from the Task Force on Climate-related 
Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and the underlying 
framework and acknowledges that there are 
financial impacts in a 2°C or lower transitions 
scenario. Outokumpu has performed a stated 
policy scenario and sustainable development 
scenario analysis in line with the International 
Energy Agency Iron and Steel Technology 
Roadmap, 2020. The translation of the 
strategies in financial terms considering the 
transition and physical scenarios is ongoing.

end of its long life-cycle, stainless steel is fully 
recyclable, without any loss of quality. 

Outokumpu has an integrated production 
process, including the company’s own chrome 
mine for one of the main raw materials of 
stainless steel, ferrochrome operations, 
melting, hot rolling and cold rolling, and the 
finishing and services.

Outokumpu’s production sites are often 
located in relatively small cities or towns. This 
means that Outokumpu is significant for the 
economies of small local communities and 
it is often one of the very few private-sector 
employers in the area.

Policies and principles of 
sustainability management

On group level, sustainability is managed 
by the Group’s sustainability team. The 
business areas and functions are responsible 
for ensuring that operations within their own 
organizations are conducted in a responsible 
manner and that monitoring, data collection 
and reporting are duly carried out. All Outo-
kumpu operating sites are certified according 
to quality ISO 9001 and environment ISO 
14001 management systems. The functioning 
of the systems is monitored by both internal 
and external audits.

Outokumpu’s business is based on a circular 
economy. Over 85% of the material used in 
Outokumpu’s stainless steel production is 
recycled steel. By converting scrap and metal 
waste into new products the company also 
protects virgin resources. Throughout the 
process, Outokumpu aims to minimize the 
environmental impact of its production. At the 

The most important policies guiding Outo-
kumpu’s Sustainability Management are the 
Group’s Code of Conduct, Corporate Respon-
sibility Policy and the Policy on Environment, 
Health, Safety and Quality (EHSQ), all available 
on Outokumpu’s website. Outokumpu’s 
Code of Conduct defines the common way 
of operating in the Group and sets principles 

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Review by the Board of Directors

5 / 17

Review by the Board of Directorsfor conducting business in a legal, compliant 
and ethical manner, including zero tolerance 
for corrupt practices and requiring compliance 
with applicable laws and regulations, including 
competition laws and trade sanctions 
regulations.

The Corporate Responsibility Policy describes 
the main principles of the sustainable develop-
ment of economic, environmental, and social 
aspects in the Group. Outokumpu’s EHSQ 
policy describes the company’s commitment 
to continuous improvement in these fields, 
compliance with legislation in all areas the 
company operates in, and the fulfilment 
of stakeholder requirements to which the 
company subscribes. Outokumpu has also an 
Anti-Corruption Instruction providing detailed 
guidance on responsible business practices. 

In addition to the EHSQ policy, Outokumpu 
has strict guidelines for safety through the 
Outokumpu Safety Principles and Health and 
Safety Standard. Additionally, Outokumpu has 
ten Cardinal Safety Rules that are a part of the 
company’s operating principles. The health and 
safety of the personnel is a precondition for 
successful day-to-day operations as well as for 
long-term competitiveness. Outokumpu works 
towards a goal of zero accidents.

Corporate statements, policies and instructions 
are the basis of the Outokumpu operating 
model in governance, risk, and compliance. 
Policies and instructions are implemented 
through internal communication, mandatory 
training and internal control mechanisms. 
Outokumpu has currently five Key Corporate 
Policies, which need to be well known by 
everyone working for Outokumpu:

•  Code of Conduct

•  Cardinal Safety Rules

•  Approval Policy

•  Competition Law Compliance Policy

•  Acceptable Use of IT Policy

The internal audit function flanked by external 
audits consistently monitors and tests adher-
ence to corporate guidance and standards, 
while the sustainability organization follows-up 
on environmental performance and legality 
on a quarterly basis. In 2020, Outokumpu 
carried out self-assessments of raw material 
suppliers with production in countries who have 
high environmental, social and governance 
risks. Regular internal environmental audits 
are performed based on an internal risk 
assessment. In addition, majority of suppliers 
are going through a regular sanction screening.

Outokumpu has an approved Science Based 
Target following the below 2-degree scenario of 
the sectoral decarbonization approach for steel 
industry. Outokumpu contributes to the UN 
Sustainable Development Goals by developing 
production processes and the properties of its 
products.

Outokumpu complies with international, 
national, and local laws and regulations, and 
respects international agreements concerning 
human and labor rights, such as the United 
Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights 
and condemns the use of forced and child 
labor. All Outokumpu employees are free to 
join trade unions according to local rules and 
regulations. There is zero tolerance of any 
form of discrimination, whether it is based 
on ethnic origin, nationality, religion, political 

views, gender, sexual orientation, age or any 
other factor.

Outokumpu expects its suppliers and 
contractors to comply with applicable laws 
and regulations as well as Outokumpu’s 
Code of Conduct or similar standards and 
principles, and to meet the company’s supplier 
requirements. Outokumpu aims to ensure that 
modern slavery or human trafficking plays no 
part in our supply chain or in any part of our 
business.

Sustainability targets

The Group’s environmental performance targets 
are set for the reporting year with exemption of 
the greenhouse gas emissions target:

•  Recycled content (all metallic input from 
waste streams, such as scrap, scales or 
metals from slag and dust treatment per 
tonne stainless steel) of 90% by 2020.

•  Improvement of energy efficiency by 1% 

yearly until 2020 reported as improvement 
compared to base-period of 2007–2009.

•  Reducing scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas 
emissions 20% per tonne of stainless steel 
by 2023 from a 2014–2016 base-period.

•  Top decile position in safety in the industry 

by 2020 and long-term target of zero 
incidents.

Outokumpu’s emissions intensity trajectory 
includes the upstream emissions from raw 
material supply chain. Outokumpu aims to 
improve the Group’s resource efficiency by 
minimizing the use of virgin materials and 
primary energy and by contributing to climate 
protection.

New targets have been set for the next period:

•  Increase material recycling (all metallic input 
from waste streams, such as scrap, scales 
or metals from slag and dust treatment per 
tonne stainless steel) to 92.5% by 2023.

•  Improve energy efficiency by 0.5% each 
year by 2030, reported as improvement 
compared to base-period of 2018–2020.

•  Reduce the landfill production waste other 

than slag by 0.5% each year by 2023.

In safety, the Group’s target for year 2020 was 
to achieve total recordable injury rate of <3.0 
per million working hours. The Group’s long-
term target is to achieve zero-level in injuries.

Environmental performance

The main environmental impacts from stainless 
steel production are the use of virgin materials, 
direct and indirect energy, dust emissions 
into the air, waste created in the production 
process and water discharges from production 
plants.

Outokumpu uses efficient dust-filtering systems 
that remove 99% of particles, and water is 
reused in production as much as possible 
and treated on production sites. In addition 
to material efficiency through using as much 
recycled material as possible, Outokumpu aims 
to reduce landfill waste and reuses waste from 
its production processes in its own production. 
Outokumpu also aims to increase the use of 
its by-product slag from its production outside 
the company for example in road construction, 
concrete production and water treatment.

In 2020, all used slag compared to the used 
and landfilled slag (use rate) decreased to 77% 

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Review by the Board of Directors

6 / 17

Review by the Board of Directors(91%). The total amount of slag decreased by 
20% compared to last year but less slag could 
be used. On top of production waste, tailing 
sand from mining is the most significant waste 
item to be deposited in the mine site.

production operations. In 2020, emissions 
and effluents remained within permitted limits, 
and the 13 minor breaches that occurred were 
temporary, identified, and had only a minimal 
impact on the environment.

In 2020, Outokumpu could further increase 
the level of material recycling (all metallic input 
from waste streams, such as scrap, scales or 
metals from slag and dust treatment per tonne 
stainless steel) to 92.5% (89.6%), reaching an 
exceptionally high level above the 2020 target 
of 90%. 

The improvement of the energy efficiency 
calculated as a sum of different process steps 
was 3.6% (6.1%) compared to the baseline of 
2007–2009. More energy than expected was 
needed as the production level was low and 
interrupted by the difficult market conditions, 
the produced steel grades changed, and 
processing increased. There were no significant 
environmental incidents.

In 2020, CO2 intensity reduced by about 
17% from baseline period 2014–2016 and 
reached 86% of the targeted reduction by 
2023. Landfilled waste increased despite the 
reduction of production as more slag needed 
to be deposited.

All Outokumpu sites have environmental 
permits that set the basic framework for 

Environmental indicators

The EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) is 
finalizing with the third trading period 2013–
2020. Outokumpu’s operations under the EU 
ETS will continue to receive free emissions 
allocations according to efficiency-based 
benchmarks and historical activity. In 2020, 
free allocation for the Group was on the same 
level as the emissions. The conditions for the 
fourth period will remain similar as for the third 
period but the allocations will be shorter.

Outokumpu is not a party to any significant 
legal or administrative proceedings concerning 
environmental issues, nor is it aware of any 
realized environmental risks that could have a 
material adverse effect on its financial position.

Social performance

Outokumpu’s main indicator for safety 
performance is the total recordable injury 
frequency rate (TRIFR), which includes fatal 
accidents, lost time injuries, restricted work 
injuries, and medically treated injuries per 
million working hours. Group TRIFR improved 
from the previous year and was 2.4 against the 
target of <3.0 (3.2). 

Scope 1, 2 and 3 (direct and indirect) CO2 emission intensity, kg per 
tonne stainless steel 
Energy intensity, GJ per tonne stainless steel
Use rate of slag, including slag from ferrochrome production, %
Total landfill waste intensity per tonne stainless steel

2020

2019

2018

1,549
11 .0
77 .1
0 .590

1,606
 10.9
 90.8
 0.500

1,719
 10.1
89.9
 0.472

Outokumpu’s headcount decreased by 475 
during the year and totaled 9,915 at the end 
of December 2020 (2019: 10,390, 2018: 
10,449). Total wages and salaries amounted 
to EUR 547 million in 2020 (2019: EUR 568 
million, 2018: EUR 541 million). Indirect 
employee benefit expenses totaled EUR 188 
million in 2020 (2019: EUR 206 million, 
2018: EUR 135 million).

Outokumpu encourages everyone to raise their 
concerns. All available reporting channels are 
detailed in the Code of Conduct, including 
the SpeakUp channel which is an externally 
operated communication channel to report 
misconduct confidentially and anonymously, if 
allowed by laws and regulations. The SpeakUp 
channel is available as a communication 
channel in Outokumpu’s reporting process if 
other reporting channels do not feel suitable. 
In 2020, more than 20 investigations of 
potential misconduct were recorded through 
the various reporting channels. These incidents 
have been investigated and proper corrective 
and preventative actions have been taken as a 
consequence.

During 2020, the implementation of 
Outokumpu’s ethics and compliance program 
continued in close co-operation with the 
leadership, business areas and business 
functions. As part of these efforts, the core 
element of the program, Code of Conduct, was 
revised and it will be implemented in 2021 
with a mandatory e-learning for all Outokumpu 
employees. In addition, anti-corruption and 
data protection e-learning courses were 
reissued and tailored training sessions were 
organized in the competition law compliance 

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Review by the Board of Directors

Personnel on December 31

12,000

10,000

8,000

6,000

4,000

2,000

0

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

and trade compliance areas in 2020. In order 
to strengthen the enforcement of the manda-
tory compliance e-learnings, a consequence 
management process was implemented 
in 2020. Furthermore, compliance related 
communications were given through different 
channels on various topics.

Key social indicators

Diversity
Employees
male, %
female, %

Board of Directors

male, %
female, %

Safety
Total recordable injury 
frequency rate, per million 
working hours

2020

2019

2018

81
19

50
50

85
15

57
43

85
15

67
33

2 .4

 3.2

 4.1

7 / 17

Review by the Board of DirectorsResearch and development
Outokumpu’s research and development (R&D) 
works closely together with sales, operations 
and customers to support the business and 
align R&D activities with customers’ current 
and future needs. Outokumpu has three 
R&D centers located in Avesta in Sweden, in 
Krefeld in Germany and in Tornio in Finland. 
R&D activities are focused on development of 
production processes, products and customer 
applications. In 2020, Outokumpu’s R&D 
expenditure totaled EUR 21 million, 0.4% of 
net sales (2019: EUR 17 million and 0.3%, 
2018: EUR 15 million and 0.2%).

As part of organizational changes in the 
Chief Technology Office function, the R&D 
organization was further streamlined in 2020. 
During 2020, the process development 
projects focused on optimization of product 
quality, yield and production cost efficiency. 
A long-term R&D program aiming at reducing 
the CO2 footprint of Group’s operations was 
initiated. The product and application devel-
opment projects focused on developing new 
steel grades, characterization and optimization 
of existing grades, as well as on development 
of new applications and markets for Group’s 
products.

Risks and uncertainties

Outokumpu operates in accordance with the 
risk management policy approved by the 
company’s Board of Directors. This defines 
the objectives, approaches and areas of 
responsibility in the Group’s risk management 
activities. As well as supporting Outokumpu’s 
strategy, the aim of risk management is 
identifying, evaluating and mitigating risks from 

the perspective of shareholders, customers, 
suppliers, personnel, creditors, and other 
stakeholders.

to 2020 travel restrictions, many audits were 
conducted virtually using in-house expertise in 
cooperation with external advisors. 

Outokumpu has defined risk as anything that 
could have an adverse impact on achieving 
the Group’s objectives. Risks can therefore 
be threats, uncertainties or lost opportunities 
connected with current or future operations.

The risk management process is an integral 
part of the overall management processes and 
is divided into four stages: 1) risk identification; 
2) evaluation and prioritization; 3) mitigation 
and controls and 4) reporting. Key risks are 
assessed and updated on a regular basis. Risk 
mitigation actions are defined according to the 
risk identification and the impact/likelihood 
assessments.

Outokumpu’s risk governance model includes 
quarterly reporting of risks to the Audit 
Committee, as well as semi-annual updates 
on key risks and risk management, including 
strategic and business risks, operational risks 
and financial risks.

The risk management focus in 2020 was on 
implementing the mitigating actions of the 
identified risks, supporting debt reduction at 
Outokumpu e.g. by focused working capital 
management and by improving the overall 
efficiency of the risk management process. 
Furthermore, the harsh market environment, 
especially in Europe, required several miti-
gating actions to protect the Group’s earnings 
and cash flows.

Outokumpu continued its systematic fire safety 
and loss prevention audit program, focusing 
on execution of the mitigating actions. Due 

The main realized risks in 2020 were related to 
disruption of the stainless steel markets due to 
the pandemic, and imports that continued to 
have a negative impact on stainless steel base 
prices and deliveries in Europe throughout the 
year.

Strategic and business risks

Outokumpu’s key strategic and business risks 
include: risks and uncertainties relating to the 
development of overcapacity of global stainless 
steel production, volatility of raw material and 
end product prices; risks and uncertainties 
implementing new IT systems and processes; 
opportunities to improve operational reliability, 
drive competitiveness and further improve 
financial performance; the risk of permanent 
safeguard measures initiated by EU not being 
effective; risks and uncertainties related 
to developments in the stainless steel and 
ferrochrome markets and competitor actions; 
changes in the prices of electrical power, 
fuels, nickel, iron and molybdenum impacting 
cash flow; fluctuations in exchange rates 
affecting the global competitive environment in 
stainless; and the risk of litigation or adverse 
political action affecting trade.

Operational risks

Key operational risks for Outokumpu include: 
a major fire or machinery breakdown causing 
business interruption; IT dependency and 
cyber security risks; risks due to a fragmented 
system environment; risks related to 
supply chain and certain critical supplier 

dependencies; and investment and project 
implementation risks. Operational risks also 
include inadequate or failed internal processes, 
employee actions, systems, or events such 
as natural catastrophes, and misconduct or 
crime. These risks are often connected with 
production operations, logistics, financial 
processes, major investment projects, other 
projects or information technology and, should 
they materialize, can lead to personal injury, 
liability, loss of property, interrupted operations, 
or environmental impacts. Outokumpu’s 
operational risks are partly covered by 
insurance. To minimize the possible damage to 
property and business interruption that could 
result from a fire occurring at some of its major 
production sites, Outokumpu has systematic 
fire safety audit programs in place. 

Environmental and climate 
change related risks
The main environmental accident risks at 
production sites relate to the use of acids, the 
production of hazardous waste and toxic gases, 
landfill activities, long-term contamination of 
soil or groundwater, and the long-term effects 
of hazardous pollutants. Outokumpu also has 
some potential environmental liabilities and 
risks at closed mines and production sites.

The main environmental business risks for 
Outokumpu are related to emissions trading 
schemes; new environmental and consumer 
protection demands, including changes in envi-
ronmental legislation and the potential impact 
on Outokumpu’s competitive position; as well 
as the risk of increased electricity prices and 
emissions costs due to the European Union’s 
unilateral Emissions Trading System (ETS). 

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Review by the Board of Directors

8 / 17

Review by the Board of DirectorsOutokumpu also evaluates annually its climate 
change related risks, including main production 
locations’ exposures on several threats and 
risks driven by climate change. These climate 
change threats and risks include e.g. flood, sea 
water level changes, exposures to hurricanes, 
tornadoes and severe storms, extreme weather 
conditions like lightning, rain or hail. The main 
climate change related risks to Outokumpu are 
driven by changes to climate policies, which 
can have adverse impact to Outokumpu’s 
operating environment and financial position.

Safety and personnel-related risks
The main risks related to safety and personnel 
are the risk of fatalities and serious injuries to 
Outokumpu’s own employees and contractors, 
which would also have a significant impact 
on the safety culture and the company’s 
reputation as an employer; the loss of key 
individuals or other employees who have 
specific knowledge of, or relationships with, 
trade customers in markets in which Outo-
kumpu operates; and the risk of being unable 
to attract, retain, motivate, train, and develop 
qualified employees at all levels, which could 
have a material adverse effect on Outokumpu’s 
business, financial condition, and operational 
results.

Risks related to compliance, crime 
and reputational harm
Outokumpu operates globally and its activities 
span multiple jurisdictions and complex 
regulatory frameworks at a time of increased 
enforcement activity globally in areas such as 
competition law, anti-corruption and bribery, 
anti-money laundering, data protection; 
and trade restrictions, including sanctions. 

Outokumpu also faces the risk of fraud by its 
employees, external theft and crime, losses 
of critical research and development data, 
misconduct, as well as violations by its sales 
intermediaries or at its joint ventures and other 
companies.

debt, leading to an event of default; and risks 
related to the prices of equities and fixed-in-
come securities invested under defined benefit 
pension plans and risks related to valuation 
parameters, especially long-term interest rates 
of defined benefit pension plans.

Social responsibility related 
risks and uncertainties
Outokumpu aims to actively identify risks and 
uncertainties related to its exposures in social 
responsibility, including human rights related 
topics. This applies to Outokumpu’s own 
operations globally including supply chain and 
other business partners. Outokumpu takes seri-
ously all labor practice violations and related 
threats as it insists on full transparency and 
compliance on human rights topics. However, 
Outokumpu operates mainly in regions, where 
the risk related to social responsibility and 
human rights are not considered high risk. 

Financial risks

Key financial risks for Outokumpu include: 
changes in the prices of nickel, iron, molyb-
denum, power, fuels and carbon emissions; 
currency developments affecting the euro, the 
US dollar, the Swedish krona, and the British 
pound; interest rate changes connected to 
the euro, the Swedish krona and the US dollar; 
interest margin changes for Outokumpu; 
constrained access to new financing; coun-
terparty risks related to customers and other 
business partners, including suppliers and 
financial institutions; risks related to liquidity 
and refinancing; risks related to the fair value 
of shareholdings, e.g. investment in the Fenno-
voima project; the risk of breaching financial 
covenants or other terms and conditions of 

Short-term risks and uncertainties

Outokumpu is exposed to the following risks 
and uncertainties in the short term: risks and 
uncertainties in implementing the announced 
strategy, including measures to implement new 
IT systems and processes, especially related to 
implementation of new ERP systems, improve 
operational reliability, drive competitiveness 
and further improve financial performance; 
the risk of permanent safeguard measures 
initiated by EU not being effective; risks and 
uncertainties related to global overcapacity 
in stainless steel, as well as to market 
development in stainless steel, ferrochrome 
and competitor actions; dependencies on 
certain critical suppliers; changes in the prices 
of ferrochrome, nickel, electrical power and 
carbon emissions; currency developments 
affecting the euro, US dollar, Swedish krona, 
and British pound; changes in interest margins 
applied for Outokumpu; risks related to the fair 
value of shareholdings, e.g. investment in the 
Fennovoima project; project and investment 
implementation risks, including the ongoing 
project in the Kemi mine; IT dependency 
and cyber security risks; refinancing risks; 
counterparty risks related to customers and 
other business partners, including suppliers 
and financial institutions.

Possible adverse changes in the global political 
and economic environment, including a severe 

global economic downturn may have a signifi-
cant negative impact on Outokumpu’s overall 
business and access to financial markets. 
Outokumpu also considers recent events in its 
risk assessments, such as: the global impact of 
the pandemic; the UK’s departure from the EU 
and possible risks related to trade relations.

Significant legal proceedings

Claim in Spain related to the 
divested copper companies

Outokumpu divested all of its copper business 
in 2003–2008. One of the divested companies 
domiciled in Spain later faced bankruptcy. 
The administrator of the bankruptcy estate 
filed a claim against Outokumpu Oyj and two 
other non-Outokumpu companies for recovery 
of payments made by the bankrupt Spanish 
company in connection with the divestment. 
The court of first instance in Spain accepted 
the claim of EUR 20 million brought against 
Outokumpu and the two other companies. 
Outokumpu and the two other companies 
appealed the court’s decision and in March 
2018 the Court of Appeal ruled in favor of 
Outokumpu. In May 2018, the administrator of 
the bankruptcy estate filed an appeal before 
the Spanish Supreme Court, where the case is 
pending without progress during 2019 or 2020.

Shares 
On December 31, 2020, Outokumpu Oyj’s 
share capital was EUR 311 million, and the 
total number of shares was 416,374,448. 
At the end of the year, Outokumpu held 
4,372,236 treasury shares. The average 
number of shares outstanding in 2020 was 
411,824,420.

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Review by the Board of Directors

9 / 17

Review by the Board of DirectorsManagement shareholdings and 
share based incentive programs

https://www.outokumpu.com/en/investors/
governance

elected as the new Vice Chairman of the Board 
of Directors.

On December 31, 2020, the members of the 
Board of Directors and the members of the 
Outokumpu Leadership Team (OLT) altogether 
held 1,059,306 shares, or 0.25% of the total 
number of shares.

Outokumpu has established share-based 
incentive programs for the OLT members, 
selected managers and key employees. 
Outokumpu’s share-based incentive programs 
include a Performance Share Plan, a Restricted 
Share Pool and a Matching Share Plan for 
key employees. In 2020, after deductions for 
applicable taxes, a total of 227,497 shares 
were delivered to the participants of the 
programs based on the conditions of the 
programs. Outokumpu used its treasury shares 
for the reward payments.

The Performance Share Plan and the Restricted 
Share Pool Program are currently ongoing for 
the periods 2019–2021, 2020–2022 and 
their continuation for the period 2021–2023 
was approved by the Board of Directors in 
December 2020. The Performance Share Plan 
for all three periods focuses on earning criteria 
that measures Outokumpu’s profitability 
and the efficiency with which its capital is 
employed.

More details on the share-based incentive 
programs can be found in the note 18 in the 
consolidated financial statements.

Corporate governance
Outokumpu’s Corporate Governance Statement 
can be found on the Outokumpu website:  

Annual General Meeting

Outokumpu’s Annual General Meeting 2020 
was held on May 28, 2020 in Helsinki, Finland 
under special arrangements due to the 
COVID-19 pandemic. The Meeting decided to 
authorize the Board of Directors to decide at a 
later stage and in its discretion on a dividend 
payment in one or several instalments of a 
total maximum of EUR 0.10 per share. 

Following a review of the January–September 
2020 financial results on November 5, 2020, 
the Board of Directors decided that owing to 
the importance of strengthening the Compa-
ny’s balance sheet no dividend would be paid 
for the financial year 2019.

The Annual General Meeting also decided to 
authorize the Board of Directors to repurchase 
the company’s own shares and to decide on 
the issuance of shares as well as special rights 
entitling to shares. The Meeting also approved 
the proposals of the Shareholders’ Nomination 
Board regarding the members of the Board 
of Directors and their remuneration and the 
remuneration policy of the Company.

The Annual General Meeting decided in 
accordance with the proposal by the Nomina-
tion Board that the Board of Directors would 
consist of six members. The current members 
of the Board of Directors Kati ter Horst, Kari 
Jordan, Eeva Sipilä, Vesa-Pekka Takala, Pierre 
Vareille and Julia Woodhouse were re-elected 
for the term of office ending at the end of the 
next Annual General Meeting. Kari Jordan was 
re-elected as the Chairman and Eeva Sipilä 

Changes in the Outokumpu 
Leadership Team

On April 14, Outokumpu’s Board of Directors 
appointed Heikki Malinen, M.Sc. (Econ.), MBA 
(Harvard), as President and CEO of Outokumpu 
and the Chairman of the Leadership Team. 
Malinen joined the company on May 1 and 
assumed his role as the CEO on May 16, 
2020. Malinen had been a member of the 
Outokumpu Board of Directors since 2012, 
and due to his appointment, resigned from the 
Board at the end of April.

On July 16, it was announced that Liam Bates 
was appointed President, Long Products with 
immediate effect. Kari Tuutti, who had been 
leading business area Long Products, decided 
to pursue his career outside Outokumpu. In his 
new position, Liam Bates did not continue as a 
member of the Outokumpu Leadership Team.

On July 27, it was announced that Maciej 
Gwozdz, President, business area Europe 
had resigned from Outokumpu to take a new 
position in another company. He continued to 
work in his position in Outokumpu until the end 
of September.

On August 31, it was announced that Reeta 
Kaukiainen, Executive Vice President, Commu-
nications, Marketing and Investor Relations 
had decided to pursue her career outside 
Outokumpu. She continued in her position in 
Outokumpu until the end of September.

On September 29, Outokumpu announced 
changes in its Leadership Team. New members 
appointed to the Leadership team were 

Thomas Anstots, Executive Vice President, 
Commercial, business area Europe; Stefan 
Erdmann, Chief Technology Officer; Martti Sassi, 
President, business area Ferrochrome; Niklas 
Wass, Executive Vice President, Operations, 
business area Europe and Tamara Weinert, 
Acting President, business area Americas. The 
new Leadership team became effective on 
October 1, 2020.

On December 7, it was announced that Jan 
Hofmann decided to pursue a new career 
opportunity outside the company. Due to this 
he resigned from the company with immediate 
effect.

Nomination Board 

Outokumpu’s Shareholders’ Nomination 
Board consists of the representatives of the 
four largest shareholders registered in the 
shareholder register of the company following 
Nasdaq Helsinki’s last trading day in August. In 
addition, Kari Jordan, Outokumpu’s Chairman 
of the Board of Directors, acts as an expert 
member in the Nomination Board. The Nomi-
nation Board has been established to annually 
prepare proposals on the composition of the 
Board of Directors and director remuneration 
for the Annual General Meeting.

On August 31, 2020 the four largest 
shareholders of Outokumpu were Solidium 
Oy, The Social Insurance Institution of Finland, 
Ilmarinen Mutual Pension Insurance Company 
and the State Pension Fund of Finland. As 
the State Pension Fund of Finland informed 
Outokumpu that it would not use its nomina-
tion right, the right transferred to Elo Mutual 
Pension Insurance Company as the next largest 
shareholder registered in the shareholder 

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Review by the Board of Directors

10 / 17

Review by the Board of Directorsregister. The shareholders appointed the 
following representatives to the Nomination 
Board:

•  Antti Mäkinen, Managing Director at 

Solidium Oy

•  Outi Antila, Director General at The Social 

Insurance Institution of Finland

•  Jouko Pölönen, President and CEO at 
 Ilmarinen Mutual Pension Insurance 
Company

•  Satu Huber, Chief Executive Officer at Elo 

Mutual Pension Insurance Company

The Nomination Board submitted its proposals 
to Outokumpu’s Board of Directors on 
December 4, 2020.

Board of Directors’ proposal 
for profit distribution
According to Outokumpu’s dividend policy, the 
dividend pay-out ratio throughout a business 
cycle shall be in a range of 30–50 per cent of 
net income. According to the parent company’s 
financial statements on December 31, 2020 
distributable funds totaled EUR 2,312 million, 
of which retained earnings were EUR 188 
million.

The Board of Directors is proposing to the 
Annual General Meeting to be held on March 
31, 2021 that no dividend will be paid for 
2020 as in the challenging market environment 
improving the Company’s financial position 
continues to be of highest priority. 

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Review by the Board of Directors

11 / 17

Review by the Board of DirectorsGroup key figures

2020

2019 1)

2018

2017 2)

2016

2020

2019 1)

2018

2017 2)

2016

Scope of activity
Sales
– change in sales
–  exports from and sales outside 

Finland, of total sales *

€ million
%

5,639
–11 .9

6,403
–6.8

6,872
8.1

6,356
11.7

5,690
–10.9

%

96 .3

95.9

96.7

96.5

96.4

Capital employed on Dec 31 *

€ million

3,543

3,904

4,086

3,929

3,816

Capital expenditure 3) *
–  in relation to sales

€ million
%

Depreciation and amortization 
Impairments

€ million
€ million

Research and development costs
–  in relation to sales

€ million
%

180
3 .2

243
3

21
0 .4

193
3.0

230
3

17
0.3

218
3.2

204
12

15
0.2

174
2.7

216
1

13
0.2

164
2.9

226
26

20
0.4

Personnel on Dec 31 4)
–  average for the year

9,915
10,310

10,390
10,645

10,449
10,468

10,141
10,485

10,600
10,977

Profitability
Adjusted EBITDA *
–  in relation to sales
EBITDA *

EBIT *
–  in relation to sales

Result before taxes 
–  in relation to sales

€ million
%
€ million

€ million
%

€ million
%

Net result for the financial year
–  in relation to sales

€ million
%

Return on equity *
Return on capital employed *

%
%

250
4 .4
191

–55
–1 .0

–151
–2 .7

–116
–2 .1

–4 .7
–1 .4

263
4.1
266

33
0.5

–41
–0.6

–75
–1.2

–2.8
0.8

485
7.1
496

280
4.1

175
2.5

130
1.9

4.8
7.0

631
9.9
663

445
7.0

327
5.1

392
6.2

15.4
11.3

309
5.4
355

103
1.8

–13
–0.2

144
2.5

6.4
2.6

Financing and financial position
Net debt *
–  in relation to sales

€ million
%

1,028
18 .2

1,155
18.0

1,241
18.1

1,091
17.2

1,242
21.8

Net financial expenses *
–  in relation to sales

Interest expenses *
–  in relation to sales

Net debt to adjusted EBITDA *

Share capital
Total equity

Equity-to-assets ratio *
Debt-to-equity ratio *

Net cash generated from 
operating activities

€ million
%

€ million
%

€ million
€ million

%
%

98
1 .7

78
1 .4

4 .1

311
2,360

40 .8
43 .6

80
1.3

76
1.2

4.4

311
2,562

42.5
45.1

107
1.6

70
1.0

2.6

311
2,750

45.9
45.1

127
2.0

92
1.5

1.7

311
2,721

46.3
40.1

121
2.1

105
1.9

4.0

311
2,416

40.4
51.4

€ million

322

371

214

328

389

Alternative performance measures are marked with *. For more information, please see Alternative Performance 
Measures section.

1)  IFRS 16 – Leases has been adopted on January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective approach.  

Comparative information has not been restated. 

2)  Figures for 2017 have been restated due to IFRS 15 adoption in 2018. Figures for 2016 have not been 

restated.

3)  Capital expenditure definition changed from accrual-based to cash-based capital expenditure in 2020. Figures 

for 2019 and 2018 have been restated accordingly. Figures for 2017 and 2016 have not been restated.

4) Personnel reported as headcount, not as full time equivalent.

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Review by the Board of Directors

12 / 17

Review by the Board of DirectorsAlternative performance measures

Certain financial key figures and ratios 
presented in Outokumpu’s Annual Report 
are not measures of financial performance, 
financial position or cash flows under IFRS 
and are therefore considered as alternative 
performance measures. These measures are 
not defined by IFRS and therefore may not be 
directly comparable with financial measures 
and ratios used by other companies, including 
those in the same industry. The reason for 
presenting these measures is that either 

they are statutory requirements applicable 
to the Annual Report of the Group or the 
management believes that these measures 
provide meaningful supplemental information 
on the underlying business performance 
or financial position of the Group. These 
financial measures should not be considered in 
isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial 
information presented in compliance with IFRS. 
Alternative performance measures are marked 
with * in the Group key figures table.

Key figure

Definition of the key figure or 
source in the consolidated financial 
statements

2020

2019

Exports from and sales outside Finland
Exports from and sales outside Finland is an indicator of the international nature of the Group’s business. 

Sales
Sales by destination to Finland
Exports from and sales outside 
Finland
–  exports from and sales outside 

Finland, of total sales

Consolidated statement of income
Note 4. Geographical information
Sales – Sales by destination to 
Finland
Comparison to sales

€ million
€ million

5,639
208

6,403
264

€ million

5,431

6,139

%

96 .3

95.9

Capital employed
Capital employed is a measure for the amount of capital invested in Group’s operations.

Capital employed is the sum of:
Total equity

Consolidated statement of 
financial position
Defined later in this section
Consolidated statement of 
financial position

Net debt
Defined benefit and other long-term 
employee benefit obligations 
Net interest rate derivative liabilities  Note 20. Fair values and nominal 
amounts of derivative instruments
Note 28. Trade and other payables

Net accrued interest expenses
Less:
Defined benefit plan assets

Consolidated statement of 
financial position
Consolidated statement of 
financial position

Equity investments at fair value 
through other comprehensive 
income
Investments at fair value through 
profit or loss
Investments in associate companies  Consolidated statement of 

Consolidated statement of 
financial position

Capital employed on Dec 31 

financial position

€ million
€ million

2,360
1,028

2,562
1,155

€ million

329

335

€ million
€ million

€ million

€ million

€ million

€ million
€ million

–6
11

64

48

26

–5
9

68

31

13

38
3,543

38
3,904

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Review by the Board of Directors

13 / 17

Review by the Board of DirectorsKey figure

Definition of the key figure or 
source in the consolidated financial 
statements

2020

2019

Key figure

Definition of the key figure or 
source in the consolidated financial 
statements

2020

2019

Operating capital
Operating capital is a measure for the amount of capital invested in Group’s operations. It is used as a 
measure for the business areas’ net assets. 

Return on equity
Return on equity is an indicator of the value the Group generates to the capital the shareholders have 
invested in the Group.

Capital employed on Dec 31
Net deferred tax asset on Dec 31

Operating capital on Dec 31

Defined earlier in this section
Note 3. Operating segment 
information
Capital employed – Net deferred 
tax asset

€ million

3,543

3,904

€ million

257

217

€ million

3,286

3,687

Capital expenditure
Capital expenditure indicates the investment in assets to generate future cash flows for the Group.

Capital expenditure

–  in relation to sales

Purchases of property, plant and 
equipment and intangible assets, 
other than emission allowances; 
investments in equity at fair value 
through other comprehensive 
income and associated companies, 
and acquisitions of businesses
Comparison to sales

Total equity on Dec 31 of previous 
year
Total equity on March 31
Total equity on June 30
Total equity on Sept 30
Total equity on Dec 31

Total equity (4-quarter average)

Consolidated statement of 
financial position

Consolidated statement of 
financial position
Average of the opening and 4 
quarter-end values

€ million
€ million
€ million
€ million

2,562
2,605
2,525
2,449

2,750
2,656
2,624
2,602

€ million

2,360

2,562

€ million

2,500

2,639

Net result for the financial year
Return on equity

Consolidated statement of income
Net result for the financial year / 
Total equity (4-quarter average)

€ million

–116

%

–4 .7

–75

–2.8

€ million
%

180
3 .2

193
3.0

Return on capital employed
Return on capital employed is a measure for the value the Group generates to the capital invested in its 
operations.

Adjusted EBITDA, EBITDA, and EBIT
Adjusted EBITDA is Outokumpu’s main performance indicator in financial reporting. The adjustments to 
EBITDA relate to material income and expense items of unusual nature, and the purpose of these is to 
improve comparability of financial performance between reporting periods. EBITDA and EBIT are also 
measures of financial performance of the Group.

EBIT
–  in relation to sales

Consolidated statement of income
Comparison to sales

€ million
%

Depreciation and amortization 
Impairments

Note 6. Income and expenses
Note 6. Income and expenses 

EBITDA

Adjustments to EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA
–  in relation to sales

EBIT + depreciation and 
amortization + impairments 
Note 6. Income and expenses
EBITDA – Adjustments to EBITDA
Comparison to sales

€ million
€ million

€ million
€ million
€ million
%

–55
–1 .0

243
3

191
–59
250
4 .4

33
0.5

230
3

266
3
263
4.1

Capital employed on Dec 31 of 
previous year
Capital employed on March 31
Capital employed on June 30
Capital employed on Sept 30
Capital employed on Dec 31
Capital employed (4-quarter 
average)

Defined earlier in this section

Defined earlier in this section
Average of the opening and 4 
quarter-end values

€ million
€ million
€ million
€ million
€ million

3,904
4,006
3,939
3,707
3,543

4,086
4,135
4,048
4,096
3,904

€ million

3,820

4,054

EBIT
Return on capital employed

Consolidated statement of income
EBIT / Capital Employed (4-quarter 
average)

€ million

%

–55

–1 .4

33

0.8

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Review by the Board of Directors

14 / 17

Review by the Board of DirectorsKey figure

Definition of the key figure or 
source in the consolidated financial 
statements

2020

2019

Key figure

Definition of the key figure or 
source in the consolidated financial 
statements

2020

2019

Net debt
Net debt is a measure for the level of debt financing in the Group. The reduction of net debt is a key priority 
for the Group.

Equity-to-assets ratio
Equity-to-assets ratio shows the proportion the Group’s assets financed with equity. The equity-to-assets 
ratio indicates the financial risk level of the Group.

Total equity

Total assets

Advances received
Equity-to-assets ratio

Consolidated statement of 
financial position
Consolidated statement of 
financial position
Note 28. Trade and other payables
Total equity / (Total assets – 
advances received)

€ million

2,360

2,562

€ million
€ million

5,797
7

6,038
11

%

40 .8

42.5

Debt-to-equity ratio
Debt-to-equity ratio or gearing is an indicator of the financial risk level and the indebtedness of the Group.

Net debt
Total equity

Debt-to-equity ratio

Defined earlier in this section
Consolidated statement of 
financial position
Net debt / Total equity

€ million

1,028

1,155

€ million
%

2,360
43 .6

2,562
45.1

Non-current debt

Current debt

Cash and cash equivalents

Net debt

–  in relation to sales

Consolidated statement of 
financial position
Consolidated statement of 
financial position
Consolidated statement of 
financial position
Non-current + current debt 
– cash and cash equivalents
Comparison to sales

€ million

1,153

1,053

€ million

€ million

€ million
%

251

376

1,028
18 .2

427

325

1,155
18.0

Net financial expenses and interest expenses
Net financial expenses and interest expenses are measures for the cost of Group’s financing.

Net financial expenses

–  in relation to sales

Interest expenses
–  in relation to sales

Total financial income and 
expenses in the Consolidated 
statement of income
Comparison to sales

€ million
%

Consolidated statement of income
Comparison to sales

€ million
%

98
1 .7

78
1 .4

80
1.3

76
1.2

Net debt to Adjusted EBITDA
Net debt to Adjusted EBITDA is an indicator of the Group’s indebtedness.

Net debt
Adjusted EBITDA
Net debt to Adjusted EBITDA

Defined earlier in this section
Defined earlier in this section
Net debt / Adjusted EBITDA

€ million
€ million

1,028
250
4 .1

1,155
263
4.4

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Review by the Board of Directors

15 / 17

Review by the Board of DirectorsShare-related key figures

Earnings per share 1) 2)
Diluted earnings per share 1) 2)

Cash flow per share
Equity per share 1) 2)

Dividend per share
Dividend payout ratio 1) 2) 
Dividend yield

Price/earnings ratio 1) 2)

Development of share price
Average trading price

Lowest trading price
Highest trading price
Trading price at the end of the period
Change during the period

Change in the OMX Helsinki index during the period

2020

–0 .28
–0 .28

0 .78
5 .73

– 3)
–
–

neg .

2 .66
2 .08
4 .44
3 .22
14 .8

10 .1

€
€

€
€

€
%
%

€
€
€
€
%

%

2018

2017

2016

2019

–0.18
–0.18

0.90
6.22

–
–
–

0.32
0.32

0.52
6.70

0.15
47.4
4.7

neg.

10.00

3.01
2.23
4.04
2.81
–12.2

13.4

5.39
3.18
8.26
3.20
–58.7

–8.0

0.95
0.90

0.79
6.59

0.25
26.3
3.2

8.15

8.11
6.61
10.05
7.74
–9.0

6.4

0.35
0.35

0.94
5.84

0.10
28.8
1.2

24.31

4.51
2.08
8.51
8.51
211.3

3.6

Market capitalization at the end of the period 4) 

€ million

1,327

1,155

1,312

3,194

3,520

Development in trading volume 
Trading volume 5) 

In relation to weighted average number of shares

1,000 shares
%

1,100,628
267 .3

884,254
215.0

826,636
201.1

1,021,607
247.7

955,682
230.6

Adjusted average number of shares 4)
Diluted average number of shares 4)
Number of shares at the end of the period 4)

411,824,420
435,135,181
412,002,212

411,198,002
446,209,235
411,774,715

411,065,622
447,181,306
410,563,719

412,363,204
450,247,639
412,671,549

414,411,287
414,411,287
413,860,600

1) IFRS 16 – Leases has been adopted on January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective approach. Comparative information has not been restated.

2) Figures for 2017 have been restated due to IFRS 15 adoption in 2018. Figures for 2016 have not been restated. 

3) The Board of Directors’ proposal to the Annual General Meeting.

4) Excluding treasury shares.

5) Includes only Nasdaq Helsinki trading.

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Review by the Board of Directors

16 / 17

Review by the Board of DirectorsDefinitions of share-related key figures

Earnings per share

Cash flow per share

Equity per share

Dividend per share

Dividend payout ratio

Dividend yield

Price/earnings ratio (P/E)

Average trading price

=

=

=

=

=

=

=

=

Net result for the financial year attributable to the equity holders
Adjusted average number of shares during the period

Net cash generated from operating activities
Adjusted average number of shares during the period

Equity attributable to the equity holders
Adjusted number of shares at the end of the period

Dividend for the financial year
Adjusted number of shares at the end of the period

Dividend for the financial year
Net result for the financial year attributable to the equity holders

× 100

Dividend per share
Adjusted trading price at the end of the period

× 100

Adjusted trading price at the end of the period
Earnings per share 

EUR amount traded during the period
Adjusted number of shares traded during the period

Market capitalization at end of the period =

Number of shares at the end of the period × 
Trading price at the end of the period

Trading volume

=

Number of shares traded during the period, and in relation to 
the weighted average number of shares during the period

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Review by the Board of Directors

17 / 17

Review by the Board of DirectorsConsolidated financial statements, IFRS

Consolidated statement of income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   19

15. Investments in associated companies . . . . . . . .   45

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income . . . . . .   19

16. Carrying values and fair values of financial assets  

Consolidated statement of financial position . . . . . . . . . . .   20

Consolidated statement of cash flows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   21

Consolidated statement of changes in equity . . . . . . . . . .   22

Notes to the consolidated financial statements. . . . . . . . .   23

1. Corporate information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   23

2. Accounting principles for the  

consolidated financial statements . . . . . . . . . . . .   23

and liabilities by measurement category  . . . . . .   45

17. Equity investments at fair value through other 

comprehensive income  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   46

18. Share-based payment plans  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   47

19. Financial risk management,  

capital management and insurances . . . . . . . . .   49

20. Fair values and nominal amounts of  

derivative instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   55

Parent company  
financial statements

Income statement of the parent company . . . . . . . . . . . . .   66

Balance sheet of the parent company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   67

Cash flow statement of the parent company . . . . . . . . . . .   68

Statement of changes in equity of the parent company . . .   69

Commitments and contingent liabilities of the  
parent company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   69

3.  Operating segment information . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   33

21. Inventories  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   56

4. Geographical information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   35

22. Trade and other receivables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   56

5. Acquisitions and divestments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   35

23. Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   57

6. Income and expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   36

24. Equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   57

7. Employee benefit expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   37

25.  Employee benefit obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   58

8. Financial income and expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   37

26. Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   61

9. Income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   38

27. Debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   61

10. Earnings per share  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   40

28. Trade and other payables  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   63

11. Intangible assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   40

29. Commitments and contingent liabilities . . . . . . .   63

12. Property, plant and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   41

30. Disputes and litigations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   63

13. Leases  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   43

31. Related party transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   64

14. Impairment of intangible assets and property, plant 
and equipment  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   44

32. Subsidiaries on December 31, 2020 . . . . . . . . .   65

18 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsConsolidated statement of income

Consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income

Note

2020

2019

€ million

Note

2020

2019

3, 4, 6

5,639

6,403

Net result for the financial year

–116

–75

–5,403

–6,108

Other comprehensive income

€ million

Sales

Cost of sales

Gross margin

Other operating income 
Selling and marketing expenses
Administrative expenses
Research and development expenses
Other operating expenses

EBIT

Share of results in associated companies

Financial income and expenses

Interest income
Interest expenses
Market price gains and losses
Other financial expenses

Total financial income and expenses

Result before taxes

Income taxes

Net result for the financial year

6

6

15

8

 9

236

22
–68
–196
–21
–28

–55

2

3
–78
–10
–13
–98

–151

34

–116

295

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:

107
–77
–198
–17
–77

33

6

4
–76
4
–13
–80

–41

–33

–75

Exchange differences on translating foreign operations 

Change in exchange differences
Reclassification adjustments from other 
comprehensive income to profit or loss

Cash flow hedges

Fair value changes during the financial year
Reclassification adjustments from other  
comprehensive income to profit or loss
Reclassification adjustments from other 
comprehensive income to inventory
Income tax relating to cash flow hedges

Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss:

Remeasurements of defined benefit plans
Changes during the financial year
Income tax relating to remeasurements

20

9

25

9

Equity investments at fair value through other comprehensive income

17

Fair value changes during the financial year
Income tax relating to equity investments at 
fair value through other comprehensive income

9

15

–86

–

–8

–5

4
0

–12
4

4

–

–0

–101

–217

25

3

12

–1

–2
–1

–43
10

–55

1

–0

–49

–124

Total comprehensive income for the financial year is fully attributable to the equity holders of the company.

19 / 75

Earnings per share for result attributable to the equity holders of the 
Company

10

Earnings per share, EUR
Diluted earnings per share, EUR

–0 .28
–0 .28

–0.18
–0.18

Share of other comprehensive income in associated companies

Other comprehensive income for the financial year, net of tax

Net result for the financial year is fully attributable to the equity holders of the company.

Total comprehensive income for the financial year

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement of financial position

€ million

ASSETS

Non-current assets
Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment 
Investments in associated companies
Equity investments at fair value through other comprehensive income
Derivative financial instruments
Deferred tax assets
Defined benefit plan assets
Trade and other receivables

11, 14
12, 13, 14
15
17
20
9
25
22

Current assets
Inventories
Investments at fair value through profit or loss
Derivative financial instruments
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents

21

20
22
23

610
2,631
38
48
6
264
64
1
3,663

1,177
26
17
537
376
2,134

607
2,767
38
31
5
229
68
2
3,747

1,424
13
15
514
325
2,291

TOTAL ASSETS

5,797

6,038

Note

2020

2019

€ million

Note

2020

2019

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

Equity attributable to the equity holders of the Company
Share capital
Premium fund
Invested unrestricted equity reserve
Other reserves
Retained earnings

311
714
2,103
–46
–721

311
714
2,103
–40
–525

Total equity

24

2,360

2,562

Non-current liabilities
Non-current debt
Deferred tax liabilities
Defined benefit and other long-term employee benefit obligations
Provisions
Trade and other payables

Current liabilities
Current debt
Derivative financial instruments
Provisions
Current tax liabilities
Trade and other payables

27
9
25
26
28

27
20
26

28

1,153
7
329
84
45
1,618

251
32
31
6
1,500
1,820

1,053
12
335
85
29
1,514

427
17
25
17
1,475
1,962

TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

5,797

6,038

20 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement of cash flows

€ million

Note

2020

2019

€ million

Note

2020

2019

Cash flow from operating activities

Net result for the financial year

–116

–75

Adjustments for

Depreciation, amortization and impairments
Net expenses on provisions, and defined benefit and 
other long-term employee benefit obligations
Gain/loss on sale of intangible assets and property, 
plant and equipment
Net interest income and expense
Taxes
Other non-cash adjustments

6, 11, 12, 14

6

8
9

Change in working capital

Change in trade and other receivables
Change in inventories
Change in trade and other payables

Provisions, and defined benefit and other  
long-term employee benefit obligations paid

Interest and dividends received
Interest paid
Income taxes paid

Net cash from operating activities

246

59

–6
71
–34
3
339

–37
237
47
247

–71

2
–69
–10

322

233

75

–81
63
33
7
330

100
129
–10
218

–53

12
–56
–5

371

Cash flow from investing activities
Acquired businesses, net of cash
Equity investments at fair value through other 
comprehensive income
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
Purchases of intangible assets
Proceeds from the disposal of subsidiaries, net of cash
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
Proceeds from sale of intangible assets

Other investing cash flow

Net cash from investing activities

Cash flow before financing activities

Cash flow from financing activities
Dividends paid
Borrowings of non-current debt
Repayments of non-current debt
Change in current debt
Repayments of lease liabilities
Other financing cash flow

Net cash from financing activities

Net change in cash and cash equivalents 

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the financial year 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents 
Foreign exchange rate effect on cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the financial year 

–

–13
–146
–20
–
15
–

–10

–175

147

–
496
–688
130
–33
0

–94

53

325
53
–1
376

17
12
11

12
11

24

23

–3

–
–161
–28
9
99
10

10

–65

306

–62
515
–76
–396
–34
3

–49

256

68
256
0
325

21 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement of changes in equity

€ million

Equity on Jan 1, 2019

Net result for the financial year
Other comprehensive income 

Total comprehensive income for the financial year
Transactions with equity holders of the Company

Contributions and distributions

Dividends paid
Share-based payments

Other 

Equity on Dec 31, 2019

Net result for the financial year
Other comprehensive income 

Total comprehensive income for the financial year
Transactions with equity holders of the Company

Contributions and distributions

Convertible bond
Share-based payments

Equity on Dec 31, 2020

Invested 
unrestricted 
equity 
reserve

Premium 
fund

Misc. other 
reserves

Fair value 
reserve 
from equity 
investments 
at FV through 
OCI

Note Share capital

Fair value 
reserve from 
derivatives

Cumulative 
translation 
differences

Remeasure-
ments of 
defined 
 benefit plans

Treasury 
shares

Other 
retained 
earnings

Total equity

311
–
–
–

–
–
–
311
–
–
–

–
–
311

714
–
–
–

–
–
–
714
–
–
–

–
–
714

2,103
–
–
–

–
–
–
2,103
–
–
–

–
–
2,103

24
18

27
18

3
–
–
–

–
–
–
3
–
–
–

–
–
3

5
–
–54
–54

–
–
–
–49
–
4
4

–
–
–45

–3
–
9
9

–
–
–
6
–
–10
–10

–
–
–4

–56
–
29
29

–
–
–
–27
–
–86
–86

–
–
–113

–80
–
–33
–33

–
–
–3
–116
–
–8
–8

–
–
–124

–40
–
–
–

–
7
–
–33
–
–
–

–
2
–31

–207
–75
–0
–75

–62
–9
3
–350
–116
–0
–117

14
–1
–454

2,750
–75
–49
–124

–62
–3
–
2,562
–116
–101
–217

14
1
2,360

Total equity is fully attributable to the equity holders of the company.

22 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsConsolidated financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statements

1 . Corporate information
Outokumpu Oyj is a Finnish public limited 
liability company organized under the laws of 
Finland and domiciled in Helsinki, Finland. The 
parent company, Outokumpu Oyj, has been 
listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki since 1988. The 
company’s address is P.O. Box 245, 00181 
Helsinki, Finland.

Outokumpu’s consolidated financial 
statements according to ESEF regulations 
are published in XHTML format at 
www.outokumpu.com/reports. Financial 
statements presented in other reports and 
formats such as in the Annual report PDF or 
the Financial report print, do not constitute as 
reports according to the ESEF regulations.

Outokumpu is the global leader in stainless 
steel. The foundation of Outokumpu’s business 
is its ability to tailor stainless steel into any 
form and for almost any purpose. Stainless 
steel is sustainable, durable and designed to 
last forever. The Group’s customers use it to 
create civilization’s basic structures and its 
most famous landmarks as well as products for 
households and various industries. Outokumpu 
employs some 10,000 professionals in more 
than 30 countries. 

In its meeting on February 4, 2021 the Board 
of Directors of Outokumpu Oyj approved the 
publishing of these consolidated financial 
statements. According to the Finnish Limited 
Liability Companies Act, shareholders have the 
right to approve or reject the financial state-
ments in the Annual General Meeting held after 
the publication of the financial statements. The 
Annual General Meeting also has the right to 
decide to amend the financial statements.

For the purpose of reporting according to ESEF 
regulations: Outokumpu Oyj operated with this 
name also in the previous year. Outokumpu 
Oyj is the ultimate parent of the Group and its 
principal place of business is Helsinki, Finland.

2 .  Accounting principles 
for the consolidated 
financial statements

Basis of preparation
These consolidated financial statements of 
Outokumpu have been prepared on going 
concern basis for the financial year 2020 
covering the period from January 1 to 
December 31, 2020.

The consolidated financial statements have 
been prepared in accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as 
adopted by the European Union. The consoli-
dated financial statements have been prepared 
in compliance with the IAS and IFRS standards 
as well as the SIC and IFRIC interpretations 
in force on December 31, 2020. The 
consolidated financial statements also comply 
with the regulations of Finnish accounting and 
company legislation complementing the IFRSs. 

The consolidated financial statements are 
presented in millions of euros and have been 
prepared under the historical cost convention, 
unless otherwise stated in the accounting prin-
ciples. All figures presented have been rounded, 
and consequently the sum of individual figures 
may deviate from the presented aggregate 
figure. Key figures have been calculated using 
exact figures. 

Responding to COVID-19
Safety is a key priority at Outokumpu, and the 
company is committed to protecting the health 
and safety of its employees. Outokumpu has 
several safety measures in place to ensure 
the safety of the people and to mitigate the 
negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. 
Outokumpu monitors the COVID-19 situation 
closely in each country in which it operates and 
adjusts the required measures accordingly. 

Outokumpu has contingency plans in place 
to mitigate the operational and financial risks. 
Thanks to decisive and well-timed actions 
taken by the company, the negative impacts 
of the COVID-19 pandemic on Outokumpu’s 
operations have been very limited. Outokumpu 
has been able to operate efficiently throughout 
the pandemic and has successfully adjusted 
its operations to meet the current demand 
level. Outokumpu also initiated immediate cost 
compression measures when the COVID-19 
pandemic began to affect global stainless 
steel demand. The actions have continued 
throughout the year and the tight cost control 
has supported company’s profitability and cash 
flow in 2020.

As a response to the pandemic, Outokumpu 
reduced its capital expenditures to EUR 180 
million in 2020. Furthermore, the cash release 
from the net working capital reduction was 
significantly above the targeted level of EUR 
100 million. Included here are the deferred 
VAT payments in Finland of EUR 75 million of 
which EUR 61 million was still outstanding at 
year-end for up to one and a half years.

Outokumpu has successfully managed its 
liquidity through the pandemic and company’s 

financial position has remained stable. Cash 
and cash equivalents amounted to EUR 376 
million at the end of the year and the total 
liquidity reserves increased to over EUR 1.0 
billion. Outokumpu issued a new EUR 125 
million convertible bond in July and signed a 
revolving credit facility in the amount of SEK 
1,000 million, guaranteed by the Swedish 
Export Credit Agency EKN in October. In 
December, Outokumpu agreed an amendment 
and extension of its syndicated revolving credit 
facility allowing for two consecutive yearly 
extension requests of the maturity dates until 
the end of May 2024. Out of the EUR 574 
million maturing at the end of May 2022, a 
facility amount of EUR 532 million has been 
extended until the end of May 2023. The 
financial covenants of Outokumpu’s financial 
agreements are based on debt-to-equity 
ratio and Outokumpu remains in compliance 
with the financial covenants of its financing 
agreements.

Outokumpu has not experienced material 
credit risk impacts as a result of COVID-19. 
The portion of unsecured receivables has been 
approximately 4–6% of all trade receivables in 
2020. Credit limits have remained available 
from the insurer and there has been no 
significant change in the insurance cover. 
Outokumpu has monitored credit risk and 
overdue situation closely, and continued its 
close co-operation with insurers.

More information on the liquidity and 
refinancing risk management as well as credit 
and country risk management can be found in 
note 19.

23 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statementsTo ensure appropriate carrying amounts of 
intangible assets and property, plant and 
equipment, Outokumpu has continued its 
practice to assess impairment indicators on 
quarterly basis. Cash flow projections and 
other valuation parameters were reviewed due 
to the global economic slowdown resulting 
from COVID-19. In reviewing these projections, 
management had to make assumptions 
relating to the severity of the outbreak’s impact 
on market as well as the timing and pace of 
the recovery. More information on impairment 
testing can be found in note 14 and on 
management judgements later in this note.

Outokumpu has utilized government support 
schemes in its operating countries. Outokumpu 
has received some compensation on its 
personnel expenses. Outokumpu has also 
utilized schemes available to defer VAT and 
social security payments.

Adoption of new and amended IFRS 
standards and interpretations
As of January 1, 2020, Outokumpu has applied 
the following new and amended standards. 

•  Amendments to IAS 1 Presentation of 
financial statements and IAS 8 Accoun-
ting policies, changes in accounting 
estimates and errors (effective for financial 
years beginning on or after January 1, 2020): 
The amendments clarify the definition of 
materiality and use it consistently throughout 
IFRSs and the Conceptual Framework of 
Financial Reporting. The amendments did 
not have material impact on Outokumpu’s 
consolidated financial statements. 

•  Revised Conceptual Framework of Finan-
cial Reporting (effective for financial years 
beginning on or after January 1, 2020): The 
International Accounting Standards Board’s 
revised Conceptual Framework is used in 

decisions on standard setting. The current 
accounting standards have not changed, 
but Framework is applied in determining 
accounting policies in situations that are not 
otherwise dealt with under the accounting 
standards. Key changes in the framework 
include: increasing the prominence of 
stewardship in the objective of financial 
reporting, reinstating prudence as a compo-
nent of neutrality, revising the definitions 
of an asset and a liability, removing the 
probability threshold for recognition, adding 
guidance on derecognition and different 
measurement bases, and stating that profit 
or loss is the primary performance indicator. 
The amendments did not have material 
impact on Outokumpu’s consolidated 
financial statements.

•  Temporary amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 

39 and IFRS 7 – Interest Rate Benchmark 
Reform (effective for financial year 
beginning on or after January 1, 2020): The 
amendments modify certain specific hedge 
accounting requirements to provide relief 
from potential effects of the uncertainty 
caused by the IBOR reform. In addition, the 
amendments require companies to provide 
additional information on their hedging 
relationships which are directly affected 
by these uncertainties. The amendments 
did not impact Outokumpu’s consolidated 
financial statements as Outokumpu currently 
applies hedge accounting only to nickel 
derivatives not impacted by the changes.

Other new or amended standards and 
interpretations had no impact on Outokumpu’s 
consolidated financial statements.

Outokumpu has not yet applied the following 
new and amended standards and interpreta-
tions already issued. The Group adopts them 
as of the effective date or, if the date is other 

than the first day of the financial year, from the 
beginning of the subsequent financial year.

•  Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39, IFRS 
7, IFRS 4 and IFRS 16 – Interest Rate 
Benchmark Reform, Phase 2 (effective for 
financial years beginning on or after January 
1, 2021): The amendments address issues 
arising during the interest rate benchmark 
reform, including the replacement of one 
benchmark rate with an alternative one. 
The amendments cover: (1) accounting 
for changes in the basis for determining 
contractual cash flows as a result of IBOR 
reform; (2) additional temporary exceptions 
to applying specific hedge accounting 
requirements to avoid failure of hedge rela-
tionships solely due to IBOR reform; and (3) 
additional IFRS 7 disclosures related to IBOR 
reform. The amendments are not expected 
to have material impact on Outokumpu’s 
consolidated financial statements.

•  Amendments to IAS 1 Presentation of 

financial statements – Classification of 
Liabilities as Current or Non-current * 
(effective for financial years beginning on 
or after January 1, 2022, possibly deferred 
to January, 2023): The amendments clarify 
that liabilities are classified as either current 
or non-current, depending on the rights that 
exist at the end of the reporting period, 
and that classification is unaffected by the 
expectations of the entity or events after the 
reporting date. The amendments also clarify 
what IAS 1 means when it refers to the 
settlement of a liability. The amendments 
are not expected to have material impact 
on Outokumpu’s consolidated financial 
statements.

•  Amendments to IAS 16 Property, Plant 

and Equipment – Proceeds before 
intended use * (effective for financial years 

beginning on or after January 1, 2022): 
The amendment prohibits an entity from 
deducting from the cost of a property, plant 
and equipment item any proceeds received 
from selling produced items while preparing 
the asset for its intended use. It also clarifies 
that testing the functioning of an asset refers 
to technical and physical performance of 
the asset, not financial performance. The 
amendment is not expected to have material 
impact on Outokumpu’s consolidated 
financial statements. 

•  Amendments to IAS 37 Provisions, 

Contingent Liabilities and Contingent 
Assets – Onerous Contracts * (effective for 
financial years beginning on or after January 
1, 2022): The amendment clarifies that the 
direct costs of fulfilling a contract include 
both the incremental costs of fulfilling the 
contract and an allocation of other costs 
directly related to fulfilling contracts. Before 
recognizing a separate provision for an 
onerous contract, the entity recognizes 
any impairment loss that has occurred on 
assets used in fulfilling the contract. The 
amendment is not expected to have material 
impact on Outokumpu’s consolidated 
financial statements.

 *Not yet endorsed by the EU.

Other new or amended standards and 
interpretations that are not yet effective 
are not expected to have a material impact 
on Outokumpu’s consolidated financial 
statements.

Management judgements 
and use of estimates 
The preparation of the financial statements in 
accordance with IFRSs requires management 
to make judgements, estimates and 
assumptions that affect the reported amounts 

24 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statementsof assets and liabilities and the disclosure of 
contingent assets and contingent liabilities 
at the reporting date, as well as the reported 
amounts of income and expenses during the 
reporting period. The management estimates 
and judgements are continuously monitored 
and they are based on prior experience and 
other factors, such as future expectations 
assumed to be reasonable considering the 
circumstances. Although these estimates are 
based on management’s best knowledge of 
the circumstances at the end of the reporting 
period, actual results may differ from the 
estimates and the assumptions. Management 
believes that the following accounting 
principles represent those matters requiring 
the exercise of judgement where a different 
opinion could result in significant changes to 
reported results.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and 
net realizable value (NRV). Net realizable value 
is the estimated selling price in the ordinary 
course of business, less the estimated costs of 
completion and the estimated costs necessary 
to make the sale. The most important 
commodity price risk for Outokumpu is caused 
by fluctuation in nickel and other alloy prices. 
The alloy surcharge clause as well as daily 
fixed pricing of stainless steel can reduce the 
risk arising from the time difference between 
raw material purchase and product delivery. 
However, the risk is significant because the 
delivery cycle in production is longer than the 
alloy surcharge mechanism expects and the 
daily fixed pricing can also deviate from this 
cycle depending on the timing of the delivery. 
As the prices for all products to be sold in 
the future are not known, a significant part 
of the future prices are estimated according 
to management’s best knowledge in net 
realizable value (NRV) calculations. Due to 

fluctuations in nickel and other alloy prices, the 
realized prices can deviate significantly from 
what has been used in NRV calculations on the 
closing date. See note 21.

Property, plant and equipment and 
intangible assets and impairments

Management estimates relate to carrying 
amounts and useful lives of assets as well 
as other underlying assumptions. Different 
assumptions and assigned lives could have a 
significant impact on the reported amounts. 
Management estimates in relation to goodwill 
relate to the estimation of the value in use of 
the cash-generating units to which goodwill has 
been allocated. The value in use calculation 
requires management to estimate the future 
cash flows expected to arise from the 
cash-generating units and a suitable discount 
rate to calculate present value. The future 
projections of cash flows include, among 
other estimates, projections of future prices 
and delivery volumes, production costs and 
maintenance capital expenditures. 

Carrying amounts of non-current assets are 
regularly reviewed to determine whether there 
is any evidence of impairment as described in 
these accounting principles. The estimation 
of future cash flows and the definition of the 
discount rates for impairment testing require 
management to make assumptions relating to 
future expectations (e.g. future product pricing, 
production levels, production costs, market 
supply and demand, projected maintenance 
capital expenditure and weighted average 
cost of capital). In estimating future cash 
flows, with regards to the COVID-19 pandemic, 
management makes assumptions relating 
to the severity of the outbreak’s impact on 
market and financial development as well as 
the timing and pace of the recovery. A pre-tax 
discount rate used for the net present value 

calculation of projected cash flows reflects 
the weighted average cost of capital. The key 
assumptions used in the impairment testing, 
including sensitivity analysis, are explained 
further in note 14. 

Income taxes

Group operates and earns income in numerous 
countries and is subject to changing tax laws 
in multiple jurisdictions within the countries. 
Significant judgements are necessary in 
determining the worldwide income tax liabilities 
of the Group. Although management believes 
they have made reasonable estimates about 
the resolution of tax uncertainties, the final 
outcome of these uncertainties could have an 
effect on the income tax liabilities and deferred 
tax liabilities in the period. 

At the end of reporting period, the manage-
ment assesses whether the realization of 
future tax benefits is sufficiently probable to 
recognize deferred tax assets. This assessment 
requires judgement with respect to, among 
other things, benefits that could be realized 
from future taxable income, available tax 
strategies, as well as other positive and 
negative factors. The recorded amount of 
deferred tax assets could be reduced if 
estimates of taxable income and benefits 
from available tax strategies are lowered, or 
if current tax regulations are enacted that 
impose restrictions on the Group’s ability to 
utilize future tax benefits. See note 9.

Fair values of non-derivative 
financial instruments 

market conditions existing at the end of each 
reporting period. Factors regarding valuation 
techniques and their assumptions could affect 
the reported fair values.

Relating to the valuation of Outokumpu’s 
investment in Voimaosakeyhtiö SF, key 
management judgements relate to long-term 
market price for electricity, Fennovoima’s 
capacity utilization rate, discount rates for cash 
flows and terminal value, and inflation rates for 
costs and electricity market price. See note 17.

Employee benefits

The present value of pension obligations 
is subject to actuarial assumptions which 
actuaries use in calculating these obligations. 
Actuarial assumptions include, among others, 
discount rate, the annual rate of increase in 
future compensation levels and inflation rate. 
The assumptions used are presented in note 
25.

Provisions

The most significant provisions in the state-
ment of financial position relate to restructuring 
programs and primarily include termination 
benefits to employees. The judgement applied 
mainly relates to the estimated amounts of 
termination benefits.

The Group has also made provisions for known 
environmental liabilities based on manage-
ment’s best estimate of the remediation costs. 
The precise amount and timing of these costs 
could differ significantly from the estimate. See 
note 26.

The fair value of financial instruments which 
cannot be determined based on quoted 
market prices and rates are based on different 
valuation techniques. The Group uses its 
judgement to select a variety of methods and 
make assumptions that are mainly based on 

Principles of consolidation

Subsidiaries

The consolidated financial statements include 
the parent company Outokumpu Oyj and all 
those subsidiaries where over 50% of the 

25 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statementssubsidiary’s voting rights are controlled directly 
or indirectly by the parent company. The 
Group controls an entity when it is exposed 
to, or has rights to, variable returns from its 
involvement with the entity and has ability to 
affect those returns through its power over the 
entity. The financial statements of subsidiaries 
are included in the consolidated financial 
statements from the date on which control 
commences until the date on which control 
ceases. 

Acquired or established subsidiaries are 
accounted for by using the acquisition 
method. The consideration transferred, and 
the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities 
assumed in the acquired company are 
measured at fair value at the acquisition date. 
The consideration transferred includes any 
assets transferred by the acquirer, liabilities 
incurred by the acquirer to former owners of 
the acquiree, and the equity interests issued 
by the acquirer. Any contingent consideration 
related to the business combination is 
measured at fair value at the acquisition date 
and it is classified as either liability or equity. 
Contingent consideration classified as liability 
is remeasured at its fair value at the end of 
each reporting period, and the subsequent 
changes to fair value are recognized in profit 
or loss. Contingent consideration classified as 
equity is not subsequently remeasured. The 
consideration transferred does not include any 
transactions accounted for separately from the 
acquisition. All acquisition-related costs except 
costs to issue debt or equity securities, are 
recognized as expenses in the periods in which 
costs are incurred and services rendered. 

Goodwill arising on an acquisition is recognized 
as the excess of the aggregate of the 
consideration transferred and the amount 
of any non-controlling interests or previously 
held equity interests in the acquiree, over the 

Group’s share of the fair value of the identifi-
able assets acquired and liabilities assumed 
at the acquisition date. Non-controlling 
interest in the acquiree is measured acqui-
sition-by-acquisition either at fair value or at 
value, which equals to the proportional share of 
the non-controlling interest in the identifiable 
net assets acquired. Changes in the parent 
company’s ownership interest in a subsidiary 
are accounted for as equity transactions if 
the parent company retains control of the 
subsidiary.

To those business combinations, which 
have taken place before January 1, 2010, 
accounting principles effective at that time 
have been applied.

All intra-group transactions, receivables, 
liabilities and unrealized margins, as well as 
distribution of profits within the Group, are 
eliminated in the preparation of consolidated 
financial statements. 

Associated companies

Companies, where Outokumpu generally holds 
voting rights of 20–50% and in which Outo-
kumpu otherwise has significant influence, but 
not control are included in the consolidated 
financial statements as associated companies. 
Associated companies are consolidated by 
using the equity method from the date that 
significant influence was obtained until it 
ceases.

The Group’s share of the associated company’s 
result for the period is separately disclosed 
below EBIT in the consolidated statement 
of income. Outokumpu’s share of changes 
recognized in the associated company’s 
other comprehensive income is recognized 
in the Group’s other comprehensive income. 
When Outokumpu’s share of the associated 
company’s losses exceeds the carrying amount 

of the investment, the investment is recognized 
at zero value in the statement of financial 
position and recognition of further losses is 
discontinued, except to the extent that the 
Group has incurred obligations in respect of 
the associated company. The interest in an 
associated company comprises the carrying 
amount of the investment under the equity 
method together with any long-term interest 
that, in substance, forms a part of the net 
investment in the associated company.

Non-current assets held for sale 
Non-current assets or disposal groups are 
classified as held for sale if their carrying 
amounts are expected to be recovered 
primarily through sale rather than through 
continuing use. Classification as held for 
sale requires that the following criteria are 
met: the sale is highly probable, the asset 
or disposal group is available for immediate 
sale in its present condition subject to usual 
and customary terms, the management is 
committed to the sale and the sale is expected 
to be completed within one year from the date 
of classification. 

Prior to classification as held for sale, the 
assets or assets and liabilities related to a 
disposal group in question are measured 
according to the respective IFRS standards. 
From the date of classification, non-current 
assets or a disposal group held for sale are 
measured at the lower of the carrying amount 
and the fair value less costs to sell, and the 
recognition of depreciation and amortization is 
discontinued. 

Assets included in disposal groups but not in 
the scope of the measurement requirements 
of IFRS 5, as well as liabilities, are measured 
according to the related IFRS standards also 
after the date of classification. 

Segment reporting
An operating segment is a component of the 
Group that engages in business activities 
from which it may earn revenues and incur 
expenses, and for which discrete financial 
information is available. Outokumpu’s business 
is divided into four business areas, which are 
responsible for sales, profitability, production 
and supply chain management, and they are 
Outokumpu’s operating segments under IFRS. 
The performance of the segments is reviewed 
based on segments’ adjusted EBITDA, which 
is defined in these accounting principles. The 
review is done by the CEO who is Outokumpu’s 
chief operating decision maker, on basis of 
regular internal management reporting based 
on IFRS. 

Foreign currency transactions
Transactions of each subsidiary included in 
the consolidated financial statements are 
measured using the currency that best reflects 
the economic substance of the underlying 
events and circumstances relevant to that 
subsidiary (“the functional currency”). The 
functional currency is mainly the subsidiary’s 
local currency except for subsidiaries in Mexico 
and Argentina who use the US dollar as their 
functional currency.

The consolidated financial statements are 
presented in euros which is the functional 
and presentation currency of the parent 
company. Group companies’ foreign currency 
transactions are translated into local functional 
currencies using the exchange rates prevailing 
at the dates of the transactions. Receivables 
and liabilities in foreign currencies are 
translated into functional currencies at the 
exchange rates prevailing at the end of the 
reporting period. Foreign exchange differences 
arising from interest-bearing assets and 
liabilities and related derivatives are recognized 

26 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statementsin finance income and expenses in the 
consolidated statement of income. Foreign 
exchange differences arising in respect of 
other financial instruments are included in 
EBIT under sales, purchases or other operating 
income and expenses. The effective portion of 
exchange differences arisen from instruments 
designated as hedges of the net investments 
in foreign operations is recognized in other 
comprehensive income.

For those subsidiaries whose functional and 
presentation currency is not the euro, the 
income and expenses for the statements of 
income and comprehensive income, and the 
items for statement of cash flows, are trans-
lated into euro using the average exchange 
rates of the reporting period. The assets and 
liabilities for the statement of financial position 
are translated using the exchange rates 
prevailing at the reporting date. The translation 
differences arising from the use of different 
exchange rates explained above are recognized 
in Group’s other comprehensive income. Any 
goodwill arising on the acquisition of foreign 
operations and any fair value adjustments to 
the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities 
arising on the acquisition of those foreign 
operations are treated as assets and liabilities 
of those foreign operations. They are translated 
into euro using the exchange rates prevailing 
at the reporting date. When a foreign operation 
is sold, or is otherwise partially or completely 
disposed of, the translation differences 
accumulated in equity are reclassified in profit 
or loss as part of the gain or loss on the sale.

Revenue from contracts 
with customers
Outokumpu generates revenue mainly from 
sales of stainless steel and ferrochrome. 
Outokumpu ships these goods to customers 
under a variety of Incoterms, and considers the 

transfers of physical possession and risks and 
rewards related to the ownership of the goods 
accordingly. Consequently, the performance 
obligations related to sales of stainless steel 
and ferrochrome are satisfied at a point of 
time. 

With customer deliveries following the “C” 
Incoterms, whereby the control of the goods 
transfers to the customer before the delivery, 
Outokumpu remains responsible for organizing 
the transportation of the goods to the 
customer. In these cases, the transportation 
service is a separate performance obligation, 
which is satisfied over time of the transporta-
tion. Outokumpu has concluded that it acts as 
a principal with regards to the transportation 
service performance obligation. 

Most of Outokumpu’s revenue from contracts 
with customer is recognized at a point of 
time. Only revenue from transportation service 
is recognized over a period of time, and the 
period under which the revenue is recognized, 
is relatively short. Moreover, the sales of 
goods and transportation service are invoiced 
together from the customer. Consequently, the 
uncertainty associated with the cash flows 
does not differ with respect to the timing of 
revenue recognition.

Outokumpu has made bill and hold arrange-
ments with its selected European customers. 
Under these arrangements, based on a 
customer request, Outokumpu holds the readily 
available material at its own stock locations for 
the customer up to a period of three months 
before the actual delivery of the material. 
However, Outokumpu has transferred control of 
these materials to the customer and conse-
quently recognizes the revenue for the material 
sales. The revenue related to Outokumpu’s 
transportation service performance obligation 

to deliver the material is recognized over the 
time when the delivery takes place.

Stainless steel and ferrochrome sales prices 
are mainly fixed before delivery, and volume 
discounts estimated and accrued in the 
revenue recognition are the only variable 
component in pricing. In individual cases, 
the sales price of ferrochrome is based on 
the period of time when the customer uses 
the purchased ferrochrome. The payment 
terms vary from advance payment to 90 days 
payment term, and they do not include any 
significant financing component.

Outokumpu also sells nickel and nickel 
warrants that relate to nickel sourced as part 
of a nickel supply agreement but is not needed 
for production of stainless steel. These sales 
are recognized to revenue when the title to the 
material is transferred to the buyer.

Income taxes
Current and deferred income taxes are deter-
mined in accordance with IAS 12 Income Taxes 
on entity level to the extent an entity is subject 
to income taxation. The Group’s income tax in 
the consolidated statement of income includes 
current income taxes of the Group companies 
based on taxable profit for the period, together 
with tax adjustments for previous periods 
and the change in deferred income taxes. In 
several countries (Germany, the UK, Italy, the 
Netherlands, Sweden and the USA) Outokumpu 
companies are included in income tax 
consolidation groups / group taxation systems. 
The share of results in associated companies is 
reported in the statement of income based on 
the net result and thus including the income 
tax effect.

Deferred income taxes are stated using the 
balance sheet liability method to reflect the 
net tax effects of temporary differences 

between the carrying amounts of assets and 
liabilities in the financial statements and the 
corresponding tax basis at the reporting date, 
as well as for unused tax losses or credits carry 
forward. Deferred tax assets are recognized 
for all deductible temporary differences to 
the extent that it is probable that future 
taxable profits will be available, against which 
deductible temporary differences can be 
utilized. A valuation allowance is recognized 
against a deferred tax asset if the realization 
of the related tax benefit is not probable. The 
ability to recognize deferred tax assets is 
reviewed at the end of each reporting period. 
Deferred tax liabilities are usually recognized 
in the statement of financial position in full 
except to the extent that the deferred taxes 
arise from the initial recognition of an asset or 
liability in a transaction which is not a business 
combination and at the time of the transaction, 
affects neither accounting profit nor taxable 
profit. 

Deferred taxes are calculated at the enacted 
or substantially enacted tax rates that are 
expected to apply by the end of the reporting 
period. Generally, deferred tax is recognized to 
the statement of income, except if the taxes 
are related to items of other comprehensive 
income or to transactions or other events 
recognized directly in equity, in which case the 
related income taxes are also recognized either 
in other comprehensive income or directly in 
equity, respectively. 

Research and development costs
Research costs are expensed in the reporting 
period in which they are incurred. Development 
costs are capitalized when it is probable 
that the development project will generate 
future economic benefits for the Group, and 
certain criteria related to commercial and 
technological feasibility are met. These 

27 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statementscosts relate to the development of new or 
substantially improved products or production 
processes and to transformation projects 
with the target of developing and improving 
business processes. Capitalized development 
costs mainly comprise materials and supplies 
and direct labour costs as well as related 
overhead costs. Development costs recognized 
as expenses are not subsequently capitalized. 

Subsequent to initial recognition, capitalized 
development costs are measured at cost less 
accumulated amortization and impairment 
losses. Capitalized development costs are 
amortized on a straight-line basis over their 
estimated useful lives which is generally 
five years. Recognition of amortization is 
commenced as the asset is ready for use. 
The accounting treatment of the government 
grants received for research and development 
activities is described below under Government 
grants. 

Goodwill and other 
intangible assets
Goodwill arising on a business combination 
is recognized at the acquisition date at 
an amount representing the excess of the 
consideration transferred in an acquisition 
over the fair value of the identifiable assets 
acquired, liabilities assumed and any 
non-controlling interest and any previously held 
equity interests in the acquiree, if any. Goodwill 
is not amortized but tested for impairment. 
Goodwill is measured at cost less accumulated 
impairment losses.

Intangible assets other than goodwill include 
capitalized development costs, patents, 
licenses and software. An intangible asset is 
recognized only if it is probable that the future 
economic benefits attributable to the asset 
will flow to the Group and the cost of the asset 
can be measured reliably. All other expenditure 

is expensed as incurred. Intangible assets 
are recognized initially at cost. After initial 
recognition, assets are measured at cost less 
accumulated amortizations and impairment 
losses if the intangible asset has a finite useful 
life. Cost comprises the purchase price and 
all costs directly attributable to bringing the 
asset ready for its intended use. Intangible 
assets acquired in a business combination are 
measured at fair value at the acquisition date. 

Borrowing costs (mainly interest costs) directly 
attributable to the acquisition of an intangible 
asset are capitalized in the statement of finan-
cial position as part of the carrying amount of 
the asset, when it takes a substantial period of 
time to get the asset ready for its intended use.

Intangible assets are amortized on a 
straight-line basis over their expected useful 
lives. Assets tied to a certain fixed period are 
amortized over the contract term. Amortization 
periods used for intangible assets are the 
following:

Software  
up to 10 years
Capitalized development costs   up to 10 years
up to 20 years
Intangible rights  

Recognition of amortization is discontinued 
when the intangible asset is classified as 
held for sale. The estimated useful lives and 
residual values are reviewed at least at the end 
of each financial year. If they differ substan-
tially from previous estimates, the useful lives 
are adjusted accordingly.

Gains and losses on disposal of intangible 
assets are included in other operating income 
and expenses.

Emission allowances
Emission allowances are intangible assets 
measured at cost. Allowances received free 
of charge are recognized at nominal value, i.e. 

at zero carrying amount. A provision to cover 
the obligation to return emission allowances 
is recognized at fair value at the end of the 
reporting period if the emission allowances 
held by the Group do not cover the actual 
emissions. The purchased emission allowance 
quotas recognized in intangible rights are 
derecognized against the actual emissions 
or, when the emission allowances are sold. 
The obligation to deliver allowances equal to 
emissions is recognized under other operating 
expenses. Gains from the sale of allowances 
are recognized as other operating income in 
the statement of income.

Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment acquired by the 
Group companies are measured at cost. The 
cost includes all expenditure directly attribut-
able to the acquisition of the asset. Govern-
ment grants received are deducted from the 
cost. Property, plant and equipment acquired 
in business combinations are measured at fair 
value at the acquisition date. 

Borrowing costs (mainly interest costs) directly 
attributable to the acquisition or construction 
of an asset are capitalized in the statement 
of financial position as part of the carrying 
amount of the asset, when it takes a substan-
tial period of time to get the asset ready for its 
intended use or sale. 

Property, plant and equipment are carried in 
the statement of financial position at cost less 
accumulated depreciation and impairment 
losses. Property, plant and equipment are 
depreciated on a straight-line basis over their 
expected useful lives. Depreciation is based on 
the following estimated useful lives:

Buildings  
Heavy machinery  
Light machinery and equipment  

25–40 years
15–30 years
3–15 years

Land is not depreciated, except for leased 
land, as the useful life of land is assumed 
to be indefinite. Mine properties include 
preparatory work to utilize an ore body or part 
of it, such as shafts, ramps and ventilation and 
are depreciated using the units-of-production 
method based on the depletion of ore reserves 
over their estimated useful lives. Recognition 
of depreciation on an item of property, plant 
and equipment is discontinued when the item 
is classified as held for sale. Expected useful 
lives and residual values are reviewed at least 
at the end of each financial year and, if they 
differ significantly from previous estimates, the 
useful lives are revised accordingly. 

Ordinary repairs and maintenance costs 
are expensed during the reporting period in 
which they are incurred. The cost of major 
renovations is included in the asset’s carrying 
amount when it is probable that the Group 
will derive future economic benefits in excess 
of the originally assessed standard of perfor-
mance of the existing asset and the cost can 
be reliably measured. Costs arising on such 
major renovations are accounted for as capital 
expenditure and depreciated on a straight-line 
basis over their estimated useful lives. 

Gains and losses on sales and disposals of 
property, plant and equipment are determined 
by the difference between the received net 
proceeds and the carrying amount of the 
asset. Gains and losses on sales and disposals 
are presented in other operating income or 
expenses.

Government grants
Government or other grants and support 
are recognized as income on a systematic 
basis over the periods necessary to match 
them with the related costs which they are 
intended to compensate. Income from grants 
and other support is presented as other 

28 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statementsoperating income. Investment grants related to 
acquisitions of property, plant and equipment 
and intangible assets are deducted from the 
cost of the asset in question in the statement 
of financial position and recognized as income 
on a systematic basis over the useful life of 
the asset in the form of reduced depreciation 
or amortization expense.

Impairment of property, plant and 
equipment and intangible assets
Carrying amounts of non-current assets are 
regularly reviewed to determine whether there 
is any evidence of impairment. If any such 
evidence of impairment emerges, the asset’s 
recoverable amount is estimated. Goodwill is 
tested at least annually, irrespective of whether 
there is any evidence of impairment.

The recoverable amount of an asset is the 
higher of fair value less costs to sell and value 
in use. For goodwill testing purposes, the 
recoverable amount is based on value in use 
which is determined by reference to discounted 
future net cash flows expected to be generated 
by the asset. In Outokumpu, goodwill is tested 
on operating segment level. The discount rate 
used is a pre-tax rate that reflects the current 
market view on the time value of money and 
the asset-specific risks. An impairment loss is 
the amount by which the carrying amount of 
an asset exceeds its recoverable amount. An 
impairment loss is recognized immediately 
in profit or loss. The estimated useful life 
of the asset that is subject to depreciation 
or amortization is also reassessed when an 
impairment loss is recognized.

A previously recognized impairment loss is 
reversed if there has been a change in the 
estimates used to determine the recoverable 
amount. However, the reversal must not cause 
that the adjusted carrying amount is higher 
than the carrying amount that would have been 

determined if no impairment loss had been 
recognized in prior years. Impairment losses 
recognized for goodwill are not reversed.

Leases 

Group as a lessee

Outokumpu leases land, buildings, machinery 
and equipment for its operations. Outokumpu 
has also entered into service and supply 
contracts that contain lease elements. 
Contracts are typically with a fixed term and 
a fixed rental amount. Rents for contracts on 
land and buildings are typically linked to an 
index or a rate. For some contracts, the rental 
payments are variable based on the use of the 
asset.

Outokumpu recognizes lease liabilities 
measured at the present value of future lease 
payments to its statement of financial position. 
In determining the present value of the lease 
liabilities, the fixed and index/rate-based lease 
payments are discounted with the interest rate 
implicit to the lease when available, or with 
the incremental borrowing rate of the company. 
Incremental borrowing rates for Group compa-
nies are defined as part of the process to 
determine interest rates for intra-group lending, 
in which Outokumpu defines a synthetic rating 
for subsidiaries. The incremental borrowing rate 
takes into account the currency, the maturity 
of the lease liability, and the credit risk of the 
lessee, which is based on the synthetic rating, 
and country risk.

Lease payments are divided into interest 
expense and repayment of the lease liability. 
Lease contracts may include options to extend 
the contract term or purchase the leased asset 
at the end of the lease term. An option is 
considered when determining the lease liability 
when it is highly probably that the option will 
be used. 

Right-of-use assets recognized to the 
statement of financial position are measured 
at the amount of lease liability and lease 
payments made in advance, less accumulated 
depreciation and impairments. Right-of-use 
assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis 
over the lease term, or over the expected 
useful life of the asset in case the asset will 
transfer to Outokumpu at the end of the lease 
term or it is highly probable that a purchase 
option will be used.

Lease liabilities are presented in non-current 
and current debt and right-of-use assets are 
presented in property, plant and equipment in 
consolidated statement of financial position. 

Outokumpu does not apply the accounting 
practice of recognizing lease liabilities or 
right-of-use assets to short-term leases, 
leases of low value items, or intangible assets. 
Instead, related payments, as well as variable 
lease payments are recognized as expense to 
the profit or loss.

Group as a lessor

Rental income received from property, plant 
and equipment leased out by the Group under 
operating leases is recognized on a straight-
line basis over the lease term. Rental income 
is presented under other operating income.

Financial instruments

Financial assets

The Group’s financial assets are classified as 
financial assets at fair value through profit or 
loss, financial assets at fair value through other 
comprehensive income and financial assets 
at amortized cost. The classification is based 
on Group’s business model for financial assets 
and their contractual cash flow characteristics. 

If an item is not measured at fair value through 
profit or loss, significant transaction costs 

are included in the initial carrying amount 
of the financial asset. Financial assets are 
derecognized when the Group loses the rights 
to receive the contractual cash flows on the 
financial asset or it transfers substantially all 
the risks and rewards of ownership outside the 
Group.

Financial assets at fair value 
through profit or loss

The category of financial assets at fair value 
through profit or loss includes derivatives, to 
which hedge accounting is not applied, as well 
as other financial items at fair value through 
profit or loss held for trading purposes. A 
financial asset, such as an investment in debt 
instrument or money market fund is classified 
in this category if it has been acquired with 
the main purpose of selling the asset within a 
short period of time. In some cases, also share 
investments can be classified in this category. 

These financial assets are recognized at the 
trade date at fair value and subsequently 
remeasured at fair value at the end of each 
reporting period. The fair value measurement 
is based on quoted rates and market prices as 
well as on appropriate valuation methodologies 
and models. 

Realized and unrealized gains and losses 
arising from changes in fair values are 
recognized in profit or loss in the reporting 
period in which they are incurred. The changes 
in fair value of other financial items measured 
at fair value are recognized in market price 
gains and losses under financial income 
and expenses. Accounting of derivatives is 
described in more detail in section Derivatives 
and hedge accounting. 

29 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statementsFinancial assets at fair value through 
other comprehensive income 

cost by using the effective interest rate method 
less accumulated impairments. 

Financial assets at fair value through other 
comprehensive income include hedge 
accounted derivatives and equity investments 
in listed and unlisted companies. 

Equity investments and divestments of these 
items are recognized at the trade date. Equity 
investments are included in non-current assets, 
unless the Group has the intention to dispose 
of the investment within 12 months from the 
reporting date.

Equity investments are measured at fair value. 
The fair value measurement is based on 
quoted rates and market prices at the end of 
the reporting period, as well as on appropriate 
valuation techniques, such as recent transac-
tion prices and cash flow discounting. These 
valuation techniques use observable market 
data when it is available but rely also on 
entity-specific estimates made by the manage-
ment. Fair value changes of equity investments 
measured at fair value are recognized in other 
comprehensive income and presented in equity 
within fair value reserve, net of tax. Dividends 
are recognized in profit or loss. When the 
shares are disposed, the accumulated changes 
in fair value are reclassified from fair value 
reserve to retained earnings. 

Financial assets measured 
at amortized cost

Financial assets measured at amortized 
cost include non-derivative financial assets 
with fixed or determinable payments and are 
not quoted in active markets. This category 
includes trade and other receivables and cash 
and cash equivalents. 

Financial assets measured at amortized cost 
are measured initially at fair value. After initial 
recognition, they are measured at amortized 

Outokumpu uses factoring for working capital 
management. Factored trade receivables have 
been derecognized from the statement of 
financial position when the related risks and 
rewards of ownership have materially been 
transferred. 

Outokumpu has adopted simplified model in 
assessing and recognizing expected credit 
losses on trade receivables. The calculation 
model is based on overdue statistics and 
counterparty-specific credit rating linked with 
loss probabilities for each rating. Impairment 
losses are recognized in selling and marketing 
expenses.

Cash and cash equivalents 

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash in 
hand, deposits held at call with banks and 
other highly liquid investments with original 
maturities of three months or less. These are 
readily convertible to a known amount of cash 
and the risk of changes in value is low. Bank 
overdrafts are included in current liabilities in 
the statement of financial position. 

Financial liabilities

Financial liabilities at fair value 
through profit or loss

The category of financial liabilities at fair value 
through profit or loss includes derivatives that 
do not meet the criteria of hedge accounting. 
Realized and unrealized gains and losses 
arising from changes in fair value of derivatives 
are recognized in profit or loss in the reporting 
period in which they are incurred.

Financial liabilities at amortized cost

Financial liabilities recognized at amortized 
cost include the loans, bonds, lease liabilities 

and trade and other payables. Loans and 
trade and other payables are recognized at the 
settlement date and measured initially at fair 
value. After initial recognition, they are carried 
at amortized cost using the effective interest 
rate method. Transaction costs are included in 
the original carrying amount. A financial liability 
(or part of the liability) is not derecognized until 
the liability has ceased to exist, that is, when 
the obligation identified in a contract has been 
fulfilled or cancelled or is no longer effective.

Significant costs related to revolving credit 
facilities are amortized over the expected loan 
term.

Convertible bonds

The Group classifies convertible bonds as 
compound instruments. The component parts 
of the bonds are classified separately as 
financial liabilities and equity in accordance 
with the substance of the arrangement. 

The liability component is recognized initially 
at fair value of a similar liability. The equity 
component is recognized initially at the 
difference between the fair value of the bond 
as a whole and the fair value of the liability 
component. Transaction costs are allocated 
to the liability and equity components in 
proportion to their initial carrying amounts. 

Subsequent to initial recognition, the liability 
component is measured at amortized cost 
using the effective interest method. The equity 
component of the bond is not remeasured 
to initial recognition except on conversion or 
expiry. 

Derivative instruments 
and hedge accounting

Derivatives

Derivatives are initially recognized at fair 
value on the trade date, on which the Group 

becomes a contractual counterparty, and are 
subsequently measured at fair value. Gains 
and losses arising on fair value measurement 
are accounted for depending on the purpose 
of use of the derivative contract. The gains 
and losses arising from fair value changes of 
derivative contracts, to which hedge accounting 
is applied and which are effective hedging 
instruments, are presented congruent with 
the hedged item. Changes in fair value of 
derivative contracts not qualifying for hedge 
accounting are recognized in EBIT in other 
operating income and expenses. If a derivative 
is designated for financing activities, the gain 
or loss effects arising from the instrument 
are recognized within financial income and 
financial expenses.

The fair value measurement of derivatives is 
based on quoted market prices and rates as 
well as on discounted cash flows at the end of 
the reporting period. The fair values of currency, 
interest rate and metal options are determined 
by utilising commonly applied option valuation 
models, such as Black-Scholes-Merton model. 
Fair values of derivatives can in certain 
cases be based on valuations of external 
counterparties.

Hedge accounting

Outokumpu applies cash flow hedge accounting 
to certain nickel derivatives which fulfil the 
IFRS 9 hedge accounting requirements. In the 
beginning of each hedging arrangement, the 
Group documents the relationship between the 
hedging instrument and the hedged item, as 
well as the objectives of risk management and 
strategy of the hedging arrangement. Effective-
ness of the hedge relationship is documented 
and assessed when hedging is started and 
at least in the end of each reporting period. 
Hedge effectiveness is calculated and 
assessed between the changes in the fair 

30 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statementsvalue or cash flows of the hedged item that 
are attributable to a hedged risk are offset 
by changes in the fair value or cash flows of 
the hedging instrument. Hedge accounting is 
discontinued when the requirements of hedge 
accounting are no longer met.

Fair value changes of derivatives designated to 
hedge forecasted cash flows are recognized in 
other comprehensive income and presented 
within the fair value reserve in equity to the 
extent that the hedge is effective. Such fair 
value changes accumulated in equity are 
reclassified in profit or loss in the period in 
which the hedged cash flows affect profit or 
loss. In the certain hedge accounted transac-
tion, the realized part of the nickel derivatives 
is first reclassified from other comprehensive 
income to inventory for certain period and 
finally reclassified in profit and loss. The fair 
value changes related to the ineffective portion 
of the hedging instrument are recognized 
immediately in profit or loss. 

The Group has in earlier years hedged equities 
of the subsidiaries located outside the euro 
area against changes in exchange rates with 
the aim to reduce the effects of changes in 
exchange rates on the Group’s equity. Accumu-
lated fair value changes of qualifying financial 
instruments designated as hedges are reported 
in equity. They will be reclassified to profit or 
loss as part of the gain or loss on disposal if 
the corresponding foreign operation is sold or 
otherwise disposed of, partly or in full.

instruments. In level two, fair values are based 
on market rates and prices, discounted future 
cash flows and, in respect of options, on 
valuation models. For assets and liabilities in 
level three, there is no reliable market source 
available and thus the fair value measurement 
cannot be based on observable market data. 
Therefore, the measurement methods are 
chosen so that the information available for 
the measurement and the characteristics of 
the measured objects can be adequately taken 
into account.

Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and 
net realizable value. The cost of raw material is 
determined by actual cost defined as monthly 
weighted average. The cost of self-produced 
finished goods and work in progress comprises 
raw materials, direct labour, other direct costs 
and related production and procurement 
overheads, but excludes borrowing costs. Cost 
of purchased products includes all purchasing 
costs including direct transportation, handling 
and other costs. Net realizable value is the 
estimated selling price in the ordinary course 
of business, less the estimated costs of 
completion and the estimated costs necessary 
to make the sale. Spare parts are carried as 
inventory and their cost is recognized in profit 
or loss as consumed. Major spare parts are 
recognized in property, plant and equipment 
when they are expected to be used over more 
than one financial year.

Measurement of fair values

A number of the Group’s accounting policies 
and disclosures require the measurement of 
fair values, for both financial and non-financial 
assets and liabilities. Fair value hierarchy 
is based on the source of inputs used in 
determining fair values. In level one, fair values 
are based on public quotations for identical 

Treasury shares
When the parent company or its subsidiaries 
purchase the company’s own shares, the 
consideration paid, including any attributable 
transaction costs, net of taxes, is deducted 
from the parent company’s equity as treasury 
shares until the shares are cancelled. When 
such shares are subsequently sold or reissued, 

any consideration received is recognized 
directly in equity.

Provisions and contingent liabilities
A provision is recognized when Outokumpu 
has a present legal or constructive obligation 
as a result of a past event, and it is probable 
that an outflow of economic benefits will be 
required to settle the obligation and a reliable 
estimate can be made of the amount of the 
obligation. The Group’s provisions mainly 
relate to restructuring plans, onerous contracts, 
environmental liabilities, litigation and tax risks. 
The amount recognized as a provision corre-
sponds to the management’s best estimate of 
the costs required to fulfil an existing obligation 
at the end of the reporting period. If part of the 
obligation may potentially be compensated by 
a third party, the compensation is recognized 
as a separate asset when it is virtually certain 
that the compensation will be received. 
Non-current provisions are discounted to 
net present value at the end of the reporting 
period using risk-free discount rates. 

The cost of an item of property, plant and 
equipment also comprises the initial estimate 
of costs of dismantling and removing the item 
and restoring the site on which it is located 
at the end of the useful life of the item on a 
present value basis. Such a liability may exist 
for decommissioning a plant, rehabilitating 
environmental damage, landscaping or 
removing equipment. A provision presenting the 
asset retirement obligation is recognized in the 
same amount at the same date. Adjustments 
to the provision due to subsequent changes in 
the estimated timing or amount of the outflow 
of resources, or in the change in the discount 
rate are deducted from or added to the cost 
of the corresponding asset in a symmetrical 
manner. The costs will be depreciated over the 
asset’s remaining useful life.

Environmental provisions are based on the 
interpretation of the effective environmental 
laws and regulations related to the Group at 
the end of the reporting period. Such environ-
mental expenditure, that arises from restoring 
the conditions caused by prior operations are 
recognized as expenses in the period in which 
they are incurred. A restructuring provision is 
recognized when a detailed restructuring plan 
has been prepared and its implementation 
has been started or the main parts of the plan 
have been communicated to those, who are 
impacted by the plan. Restructuring provision 
mainly comprise employee termination 
benefits. 

A contingent liability is a possible obligation 
that arises from past events and whose exis-
tence will be confirmed only by the occurrence 
of uncertain future events not wholly within the 
control of the entity. Such present obligation 
that probably does not require settlement of a 
payment obligation and the amount of which 
cannot be reliably measured is also considered 
to be a contingent liability. Contingent 
liabilities are disclosed in the notes to the 
financial statements.

Employee benefits

Post-employment and other 
long-term employee benefits

Group companies in different countries have 
various post-employment benefit plans in 
accordance with local conditions and practices. 
The plans are classified as either defined 
contribution plans or defined benefit plans. 

The fixed contributions to defined contribution 
plans are recognized as expenses in the period 
to which they relate. The Group has no legal or 
constructive obligation to pay further contribu-
tions if the receiving party is not able to pay 
the benefits in question. All such arrangements 

31 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statementsDiluted earnings per share is calculated by 
adjusting the weighted average number of 
ordinary shares outstanding with the assump-
tion that convertible instrument is converted. 
The profit or loss used in the calculation is 
adjusted for the interest expense related to the 
instrument and recognized in the period, net 
of tax. In addition, the shares estimated to be 
delivered based on the share-based incentive 
programs are taken into account. However, 
potential ordinary shares are only dilutive if the 
adjustments decrease the earnings per share 
ratio. 

that do not meet these requirements are 
defined benefit plans.

Defined benefit plans are funded with 
payments to the pension funds or insurance 
companies. The present value of the defined 
benefit obligations is determined separately 
for each plan by using the projected unit credit 
method. The plan assets are measured at fair 
value at the end of the reporting period. The 
liability recognized in the statement of financial 
position is the defined benefit obligation at the 
closing date less the fair value of plan assets. 
Current service costs, past service costs and 
gains or losses on settlements are recognized 
in functional costs above EBIT. Net interest 
expense or income is recognized in financial 
items under interest expense or interest 
income. All remeasurements of the net defined 
benefit liability (asset) are recognized directly 
in other comprehensive income.

For other long-term employee benefits, all 
service costs and remeasurements are 
recognized immediately in the statement of 
income. Interest expenses are recognized in 
financial items under interest expenses.

Share-based payment transactions

The share-based payments are settled net 
of tax withholdings, and they are accounted 
as fully equity-settled. The expense of the 
programs recognized over vesting periods is 
based on the grant date fair value. 

Applicable statistical models are used in 
valuation. The impact of non-market-based 
vesting conditions is assessed at the end of 
each reporting period. The programs include 
maximum limits for the pay-outs and the limits 
have been taken into account in the valuation 
of the benefits.

EBIT and EBITDA
Outokumpu’s EBIT is the net sum which is 
formed by adding other operating income to 
sales and then deducting the cost of purchase 
adjusted by change in the inventory and the 
cost of manufacture for own use, the cost of 
employee benefits, depreciation, amortization, 
any impairments, and other operating 
expenses. All other items of the statement of 
income are presented below EBIT. Exchange 
gains and losses and fair value changes of 
derivatives are included in EBIT, if they arise 
from business-related items. Otherwise they 
are recognized in financial items. EBITDA is 
formed by adding the deducted depreciation, 
amortization and impairments back into EBIT.

Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA is Outokumpu’s main 
performance indicator in financial reporting, 
including segment reporting. Adjusted EBITDA 
presented in the notes to the consolidated 
financial statements excludes such material 
income and expense items which affect the 
comparability between periods because of 
their unusual nature, size or incidence resulting 
for example from group-wide restructuring 
programs or disposals of assets or businesses. 

Dividends
The dividend proposed by the Board of 
Directors is not deducted from distributable 
equity until approved by the Annual General 
Meeting of Shareholders.

Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share is calculated by 
dividing the net result attributable to the 
equity holders of the company by the weighted 
average number of shares in issue during 
the period, excluding shares purchased by 
Outokumpu and held as treasury shares. 

32 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statements2020
€ million

External sales
Inter-segment sales
Sales

Adjusted EBITDA
Adjustments to EBITDA
Restructuring costs

EBITDA
Depreciation and amortization
Impairments
EBIT
Share of results in associated companies
Financial income
Financial expenses
Result before taxes 
Income taxes
Net result for the financial year 

Assets in operating capital
Other assets
Deferred tax assets
Total assets

Liabilities in operating capital
Other liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities
Total liabilities

Operating capital
Net deferred tax asset
Capital employed

Europe

Americas

Long 
Products

Ferrochrome

3,485
83
3,568

142

–47
95
–140
–2
–47
–
–
–
–
–
–

2,610
–
–
–

1,037
–
–
–

1,573
–
–

1,194
1
1,195

55

–2
53
–54
–1
–1
–
–
–
–
–
–

1,097
–
–
–

297
–
–
–

801
–
–

415
78
493

–8

–3
–11
–10
–
–21
–
–
–
–
–
–

255
–
–
–

122
–
–
–

133
–
–

151
260
411

91

–1
90
–34
–
56
–
–
–
–
–
–

931
–
–
–

166
–
–
–

766
–
–

Operating  
segments 
total

5,245
422
5,667

280

–53
227
–238
–3
–14
–
–
–
–
–
–

4,894
–
–
–

1,622
–
–
–

3,272
–
–

Reconciliation

Other 
operations

Eliminations

394
271
665

–29

–6
–36
–4
–0
–40
–
–
–
–
–
–

292
–
–
–

270
–
–
–

21
–
–

–
–693
–693

–0

–
–0
–0
–
–1
–
–
–
–
–
–

–213
–
–
–

–205
–
–
–

–8
–
–

3 .  Operating segment 

information

Outokumpu’s business is divided into four 
business areas which are Europe, Americas, 
Long Products and Ferrochrome. In addition to 
the business area structure, Group Functions 
cover Legal and compliance, Health and safety, 
Raw material procurement, Finance and IR, 
General procurement, Strategy, Transformation 
office, HR, Group communications, Global 
business services, R&D, Technology, Sustain-
ability and Group IT.

Business areas have responsibility for 
commercials, supply chain management 
and operations and they are Outokumpu’s 
operating segments under IFRS. The 
performance of the segments is reviewed 
based on segment’s adjusted EBITDA, which 
is defined in the accounting principles for the 
consolidated financial statements. The review 
is done regularly by the CEO based on internal 
management reporting which is based on IFRS. 
Below is a description of the activities of the 
four operating segments:

Europe consists of both coil and plate opera-
tions in Europe. The high-volume and tailored 
standard stainless steel grades are primarily 
used for example in architecture, building 
and construction, transportation, catering 
and appliances, chemical, petrochemical 
and energy sectors, as well as other process 
industries. The production facilities are located 
in Finland, Germany and Sweden. The business 
area has extensive service center and sales 
network across Europe, Middle East, Africa and 
APAC region.

Americas produces standard austenitic and 
ferritic grades as well as tailored products. Its 
largest customer segments are automotive and 
transport, consumer appliances, oil and gas, 
chemical and petrochemical industries, food 

Group

5,639
–
5,639

250

–59
191
–243
–3
–55
2
3
–101
–151
34
–116

4,973
561
264
5,797

1,687
1,744
7
3,437

3,286
257
3,543

33 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statementsand beverage processing, as well as building 
and construction industry. The business area 
has production units in the US and Mexico, as 
well as a service center in Argentina.

Long Products are used in a wide range of 
applications such as springs, wires, surgical 
equipment, automotive parts and construction. 
The manufacturing is concentrated in the 
integrated sites in the UK, Sweden and the 
US. Outokumpu has concluded strategic review 
of Long Products during 2020 and as a result, 
Outokumpu has initiated a turnaround program 
to develop the Long Products business 
internally.

Ferrochrome produces charge grade of 
ferrochrome. The business area has a chrome 
mine in Kemi, Finland and ferrochrome 
smelters in Tornio, Finland.

Other operations consist of activities outside 
the four operating segments described above, 
as well as industrial holdings. Such business 
development and Corporate Management 
expenses that are not allocated to the 
business areas are also reported under Other 
operations. Sales of Other operations consist 
of sales of electricity to Group’s production 
facilities in Finland and in Sweden, nickel 
procured under Group’s sourcing contract that 
exceed the production needs, and internal 
commissions and services. 

Outokumpu does not have individual significant 
customers as defined in IFRS 8.

2019 
€ million

External sales
Inter-segment sales
Sales

Adjusted EBITDA
Adjustments to EBITDA

Gain on the sale of real estate in 
Benrath, Germany
Restructuring costs in Germany
Settlement with ThyssenKrupp

EBITDA
Depreciation and amortization
Impairments
EBIT
Share of results in associated companies
Financial income
Financial expenses
Result before taxes 
Income taxes
Net result for the financial year 

Assets in operating capital
Other assets
Deferred tax assets
Total assets

Liabilities in operating capital
Other liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities
Total liabilities

Operating capital
Net deferred tax asset
Capital employed

Europe

Americas

4,023
66
4,089

1,343
3
1,346

216

–27

70
–53
–
233
–134
–1
99
–
–
–
–
–
–

2,876
–
–
–

975
–
–
–

1,901
–
–

–
–
–
–27
–56
–1
–84
–
–
–
–
–
–

1,209
–
–
–

295
–
–
–

914
–
–

Long 
Products

Ferrochrome

Operating  
segments 
total

Other 
operations

Eliminations

Reconciliation

505
137
642

–7

–
–
–
–7
–8
–
–16
–
–
–
–
–
–

296
–
–
–

139
–
–
–

157
–
–

168
293
461

96

–
–
–
96
–29
–0
67
–
–
–
–
–
–

854
–
–
–

163
–
–
–

692
–
–

6,040
498
6,538

278

70
–53
–
295
–226
–2
66
–
–
–
–
–
–

5,235
–
–
–

1,571
–
–
–

3,664
–
–

363
290
653

–21

–
–
–14
–35
–4
–0
–39
–
–
–
–
–
–

292
–
–
–

262
–
–
–

30
–
–

–
–788
–788

6

–
–
–
6
–
–
6
–
–
–
–
–
–

–201
–
–
–

–194
–
–
–

–7
–
–

Group

6,403
–
6,403

263

70
–53
–14
266
–230
–3
33
6
8
–89
–41
–33
–75

5,327
483
229
6,038

1,640
1,824
12
3,476

3,687
217
3,904

34 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statements5 . Acquisitions and divestments

Outokumpu did not have any material acquis-
tions or divestments in 2020.

4 . Geographical information

External sales by destination

€ million

2020
Business area
Europe
Americas
Long Products
Ferrochrome
Other operations

2019
Business area
Europe
Americas
Long Products
Ferrochrome
Other operations

Non-current assets
€ million

2020
2019

Finland 

Other Europe

North America

APAC region

Other countries

Group

196
–
2
10
–
208

254
–
1
8
–
264

2,940
0
235
66
–
3,240

3,277
0
265
56
–
3,598

47
1,144
144
2
–
1,337

96
1,277
200
–
–
1,573

262
5
33
73
–
373

349
13
39
104
–
506

41
45
0
0
394
481

47
52
0
1
363
462

Finland 

Other Europe

North America

APAC region

Other countries

1,774
1,762

732
764

723
834

10
11

2
2

3,485
1,194
415
151
394
5,639

4,023
1,343
505
168
363
6,403

Group

3,241
3,374

Non-current assets are presented by the locations of the Group companies. Non-current assets exclude investments in associated 
companies, financial instruments, deferred tax assets and defined benefit plan assets. 

35 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statements6 . Income and expenses

Timing of revenue recognition 
related contracts with customers

not differ with respect to the timing of revenue 
recognition. 

Revenue related to bill and hold

Outokumpu has so-called bill and hold 
arrangements in place with its selected 
European customers where Outokumpu has 
transferred control of the material to the 
customer and recognized the revenue for the 
material sales. In the end of 2020, the amount 
of revenue recognized under the bill and hold 
arrangements for products not delivered yet 
was immaterial.

Outokumpu recognizes revenue from sales 
of stainless steel and ferrochrome at a point 
of time. The revenue recognized over time 
relates to the performance obligation of 
organizing the transport of sold goods to the 
customer, which is a minor source of revenue 
compared to the material sales, and the 
period of transport, over which it is recognized, 
is relatively short. Moreover, the sales of 
goods and transportation service are invoiced 
together from the customer. Consequently, the 
uncertainty associated with the cash flows do 

Depreciation and amortization by function

€ million

Cost of sales
Selling and marketing expenses
Administrative expenses
Research and development expenses

Other operating income

€ million

Gains from disposal of subsidiaries
Gains on sale of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment
Insurance compensation
Other income items

Other income items include EUR 5 million of government support in 2020 mainly related to 
COVID-19 support measures in various countries (2019: no material items).

2020
–233
–2
–7
–1
–243

2020
–
6
0
16
22

2019

–217
–2
–11
–1
–230

2019

1
82
4
20
107

Other operating expenses

€ million

Exchange gains and losses from foreign exchange derivatives
Market price gains and losses from commodity derivatives
Market price gains and losses from derivative financial instruments
Impairments
Losses on sale of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment
Other expense items

2020
–12
5
–7
–3
–0
–17
–28

2019

–18
–35
–52
–3
–1
–21
–77

Other expense items include EUR 11 million of expensed emission allowances in 2020 (2019: no 
expenses).

Adjustments to EBITDA

€ million

Restructuring costs
Gain on the sale of real estate in Benrath
Settlement with ThyssenKrupp

In 2020, Outokumpu announced its new 
strategy with the first-phase focus on de-risking 
the company through deleveraging the balance 
sheet. Actions include cost savings through 
employee reductions, and the related restruc-
turing costs amounted to EUR 59 million. 

In 2019, Outokumpu carried out restructuring 
negotiations in Germany targeting to improve 
competitiveness through cost reductions. The 
agreed measures resulted in restructuring 
costs of EUR 53 million.

In 2019, Outokumpu sold real estate in 
Benrath, Germany. The sold property had been 
unused since 2016 when Outokumpu closed 
its cold rolling operations in Benrath. The gain 
on the sale amounted to EUR 70 million.

In 2019, Outokumpu and ThyssenKrupp 
settled a claim relating to tax consolidation 
in Italy, as well as other earlier claims relating 
to Outokumpu’s acquisition of Inoxum. The 
settlement resulted in a EUR 14 million 
expense in Outokumpu.

2020

2019

–59
–
–
–59

2020
–2 .0
–0 .0
–0 .0
–0 .1
–2 .1

–53
70
–14
3

2019

–2.4
–0.0
–0.3
–0.4
–3.1

Auditor fees

PricewaterhouseCoopers
€ million

Audit
Audit-related services
Tax advisory
Other services

PricewaterhouseCoopers Oy has provided 
non-audit services to Outokumpu in total of 
EUR 0.1 million during 2020. These services 
comprised of sustainability reporting and other 
agreed upon procedures. 

36 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statements7 . Employee benefit expenses

€ million

Wages and salaries
Termination benefits
Social security costs
Post-employment and other long-term employee benefits

Defined benefit plans
Defined contribution plans
Other long-term employee benefits
Expenses from share-based payments
Other personnel expenses

In 2020, Outokumpu carried out employee 
negotiation processes in selected operating 
countries to create cost savings by restruc-
turing and reducing total employee headcount 
by up to approximately 1,000 (10% of the 
Group total) mostly by the end of 2021. The 
fixed cost reductions are needed as the market 
situation in Europe is challenging and import 
pressure remains high, and the COVID-19 
pandemic impacts the global economy. The 
restructuring costs are reported as termination 

8 . Financial income and expenses

2020
–547
–56
–80

–5
–40
–1
–1
–5
–735

2019

€ million

–568
–61
–84

–7
–40
–9
–0
–6
–774

Interest income

Interest expenses

Debt at amortized cost
Factoring expenses
Lease liabilities
Other interest expenses
Interest expense on defined benefit and 
other long-term employee benefit obligations

Interest expenses

benefits in the above table and as adjustments 
to EBITDA (see note 6).

No profit-sharing bonuses based on the Finnish 
Personnel Funds Act were recognized in 2020 
nor in 2019.

Capitalized interests
Fees related to committed credit facilities
Other fees
Other financial expenses

Exchange gains and losses

More information on employee benefits for key 
management can be found in note 31 and the 
Remuneration report.

Derivatives
Cash, loans and receivables
Other market price gains and losses

Derivatives
Other

Market price gains and losses

Total financial income and expenses

2020

3

2019

4

–56
–6
–12
–1

–3
–78

3
–11
–5
–13

–4
–8

1
1
–10

–98

–48
–10
–13
–

–6
–76

5
–14
–4
–13

–0
–4

3
5
4

–80

Other interest expenses include expenses of EUR 1 million related to deferred VAT payments in 
Finland.

37 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statementsExchange gains and losses in the consolidated statement of income

9 . Income taxes

€ million

In sales
In purchases 1)
In other income and expenses 1)
In financial income and expenses 1)

2020

2019

–12
30
–12
–11
–6

9
–16
–18
–4
–29

Income taxes in the consolidated statement of income

€ million

Current taxes
Deferred taxes

2020

2019

–4
39
34

–5
–28
–33

1)  Includes exchange gains and losses on elimination of intra-group transactions.

Exchange gains and losses include EUR 16 million of net exchange loss on derivative financial 
instruments (2019: EUR 18 million net exchange loss) of which a loss of EUR 12 million has been 
recognized in other operating expenses and a loss of EUR 4 million in financial items. 

Reconciliation of income taxes at statutory tax rate in Finland and 
income taxes recognized in the consolidated income statement

€ million

2020

2019

Result before taxes
Hypothetical income taxes at Finnish tax rate of 20% on consolidated result before tax 
Difference between Finnish and foreign tax rates
Tax effect of non-deductible expenses and tax exempt income
Current year losses for which no deferred tax asset recognized
Deferred tax asset valuation movements
Taxes for prior years
Tax effect of tax rate changes and other changes in tax laws
Income taxes in the consolidated statement of income

–151
30
4
–6
–0
–1
4
3
34

–41
8
4
–8
–29
1
–9
0
–33

Accumulated deferred taxes recognized in equity

€ million

Deferred tax on convertible bond equity component
Net investment hedging
Remeasurements of the net defined benefit liability through other  
comprehensive income

2020

2019

–3
–4

62

55

–
–4

58

54

38 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statementsDeferred tax assets and liabilities 

Jan 1, 2020

€ million
Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Inventories
Net derivate financial assets
Other financial assets
Defined benefit and other long-term employee benefit obligations
Other financial liabilities
Provisions
Tax losses and tax credits

Offset in country-level income tax consolidation

Deferred taxes in the statement of financial position

Deferred tax assets
8
16
10
1
19
51
112
5
283
505
–277
229

Recognized in profit 
or loss
1
22
4
1
9
–3
–16
–2
22
39

Deferred tax 
liabilities
–3
–228
–18
–4
–6
–11
–6
–13
–
–288
277
–12

€ million

Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Inventories
Net derivate financial assets
Other financial assets
Defined benefit and other long-term employee benefit obligations
Other financial liabilities
Provisions
Tax losses and tax credits

Offset in country-level income tax consolidation
Deferred taxes in the statement of financial position

Jan 1, 2019

Deferred tax assets

Deferred tax 
liabilities

Recognized in profit 
or loss

7
29
20
4
–16
75
88
22
326
555
–308
247

–4
–214
–12
–13
–10
–33
–14
–20
–
–320
308
–12

3
–27
–17
5
40
–11
32
–10
–43
–28

Movements

Recognized in other 
comprehensive 
income or  
directly in equity
–
–
–
–
–
4
–3
–
–
0

Movements

Recognized in other 
comprehensive 
income

–
–
–
1
–1
10
–
–
–
11

Deferred taxes have been reported as a net balance of those Group companies that file a consolidated tax return, or that may otherwise be consolidated for current tax purposes.

Dec 31, 2020

Translation 
differences Deferred tax assets
8
17
10
1
31
52
89
7
306

0
0
–0
–0
–0
0
–0
–0
1
1

523
–260

264

Dec 31, 2019

Deferred tax 
liabilities
–2
–207
–14
–3
–9
–12
–2
–17
–

–266
260

–7

Translation 
differences Deferred tax assets

Deferred tax 
liabilities

–
0
0
–0
–0
–1
0
0
0
0

8
16
10
1
19
51
112
5
283
505
–277
229

–3
–228
–18
–4
–6
–11
–6
–13
–
–288
277
–12

39 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statements 
 
Tax losses carried forward

€ million
Expire in less than 1 year
Expire in 2–5 years
Expire later than in 5 years
Never expire

Finland
Germany
Sweden
The US
The UK
Other countries

2020
3
217
1,883
1,283
3,385

592
266
374
1,898
183
73
3,385

2019
–
358
1,759
1,344
3,461

447
354
314
2,077
187
82
3,461

Deferred tax assets are recognized only to 
the extent that the utilization of related 
tax benefits is considered probable. In the 
determination of whether the utilization is 
probable, all positive and negative factors, 
including prospective results, are taken into 
consideration in order to estimate whether 
sufficient taxable income will be generated to 
realize deferred tax assets. These estimates 
can change depending on the future course 
of events. As of December 31, 2020 tax 

attributes of the Outokumpu Group for which 
no deferred tax asset has been recognized 
amount to EUR 1,942 million (Dec 31, 2019: 
EUR 2,079 million). No material previously 
unrecognized deferred tax assets were 
recognized in 2020 or 2019. No deferred 
tax liabilities were recorded on undistributed 
profits on foreign subsidiaries, as such profits 
are not to be distributed in the foreseeable 
future.

11 . Intangible assets

€ million

Historical cost on Jan 1, 2020
Translation differences

Additions
Disposals
Reclassifications

Historical cost on Dec 31, 2020

Accumulated amortization and impairment on Jan 1, 2020
Translation differences
Amortization 

Disposals

Accumulated amortization and impairment on Dec 31, 2020

Carrying value on Dec 31, 2020
Carrying value on Jan 1, 2020

Historical cost on Jan 1, 2019
Translation differences
Additions
Disposals
Reclassifications
Historical cost on Dec 31, 2019

10 . Earnings per share

Result attributable to the equity holders of the Company, € million 

Accumulated amortization and impairment on Jan 1, 2019
Translation differences
Amortization 
Disposals
Accumulated amortization and impairment on Dec 31, 2019

2020
–116

2019

–75

Weighted average number of shares, in thousands
Diluted average number of shares, in thousands

411,824
435,135

411,198
446,209

Carrying value on Dec 31, 2019
Carrying value on Jan 1, 2019

Good-
will

487
–2

–
–
–

485

–21
2
–

–

–19

466
466

489
–2
–
–
–
487

–22
2
–
–
–21

466
467

Other 
intangible 
assets 1)

361
0

17
–4
2

377

–220
–1
–15

3

–232

144
141

332
–0
36
–7
1
361

–214
1
–7
1
–220

141
118

Total

848
–2

17
–4
2

862

–241
1
–15

3

–252

610
607

821
–2
36
–7
1
848

–236
2
–7
1
–241

607
585

Earnings per share for result attributable to the equity holders of the Company 

Earnings per share, €
Diluted earnings per share, €

–0 .28
–0 .28

–0.18
–0.18

1)  Other intangible assets include land-use rights, emission allowances, capitalized development costs, patents, 

licenses and software. 

Intangible assets mainly comprise acquired assets. 

40 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statements12 . Property, plant and equipment

€ million

Historical cost on Jan 1, 2020
Translation differences
Additions
Disposals
Reclassifications
Other
Historical cost on Dec 31, 2020

Accumulated depreciation and  
impairment on Jan 1, 2020
Translation differences
Disposals
Depreciation 
Impairments
Accumulated depreciation and  
impairment on Dec 31, 2020

Own property, plant and equipment
Right-of-use assets
Carrying value on Dec 31, 2020
Carrying value on Jan 1, 2020

Mine 
properties

Buildings

Machinery and 
equipment

Advances 
paid and 
construction 
work in 
progress

Other  
tangible  
assets

72
–
17
–
23
–
112

–39
–
–
–9
–

–48

64
–
64
33

1,286
–12
10
–10
8
1
1,283

–719
–0
3
–47
–2

–766

481
37
517
567

4,691
–46
37
–43
31
–2
4,668

–2,983
1
43
–165
–1

–3,105

1,457
106
1,563
1,708

135
1
1
–1
1
–
137

–82
–1
1
–4
–

–86

51
0
51
53

294
–3
102
–
–64
–
330

–2
–0
–
–0
–

–2

327
1
328
293

Land

128
–2
2
–4
–
0
123

–15
0
–
–1
–

–16

70
37
107
112

During 2020, borrowing costs amounting to 
EUR 0 million were capitalized on investment 
projects (2019: EUR 4 million). Total interest 
capitalized on December 31, 2020 was EUR 
6 million (Dec 31, 2019: EUR 6 million). 
Outokumpu determinates separate capitaliza-
tion rates for each quarter. The average rate 
used during 2020 was 4.3%. 

Emission allowances 

Outokumpu had seven active sites operating 
under EU’s Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) in 
2020. These include the production plants in 
Tornio, Finland; Avesta, Degerfors, Fagersta and 
Nyby in Sweden; Sheffield in the UK; as well as 
Krefeld together with Dillenburg in Germany.

The pre-verified carbon dioxide emissions under 
ETS were approximately 1.0 million tonnes 
in 2020 (2019: 1.0 million tonnes). For its 
2020 emission allowance delivery, Outokumpu 
will use allowances received for free, but also 
allowances acquired from market in prior years, 
and has therefore recognized EUR 11 million in 
other operating expenses in 2020 (2019: no 
expenses). 

The emission allowance trading period 
2013–2020 ended, and for the new period 
2021–2030, all relevant Outokumpu sites have 
applied free emission allowances according 
to efficiency-based benchmarks and historical 
activity. Decisions on free allocation conditions 
are expected later in 2021. Emission 
allowance position is regularly monitored and 
optimized according to the definitions set in 
corporate risk policies.

Total

6,606
–62
169
–58
–2
–0
6,654

–3,840
1
46
–227
–3

–4,023

2,450
181
2,631
2,767

41 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statementsDuring 2020, EUR 2 million of borrowing costs 
were capitalized on investment projects (2019: 
EUR 2 million). Total interest capitalized on 
December 31, 2020 was EUR 25 million 
(Dec 31, 2019: EUR 24 million). Outokumpu 
determines separate capitalization rates for 
each quarter. The average rate used during 
2020 was 1.5%.

€ million

Historical cost on Jan 1, 2019 before IFRS 16 transition
IFRS 16 transition impact
Translation differences
Additions
Disposals
Disposed subsidiaries
Reclassifications
Other
Historical cost on Dec 31, 2019

Accumulated depreciation and 
impairment on Jan 1, 2019
Translation differences
Disposals
Disposed subsidiaries
Depreciation 
Impairments
Accumulated depreciation and 
impairment on Dec 31, 2019

Own property, plant and equipment
Right-of-use assets
Carrying value on Dec 31, 2019
Carrying value on Jan 1, 2019

Land

Mine 
properties

Buildings

Machinery and 
equipment

Advances 
paid and 
construction 
work in 
progress

Other 
tangible
 assets

136
13
1
–
–20
–
–
–
128

–14
–0
–
–
–1
–0

–15

74
38
112
121

71
–
–
1
–
 –
–
–
72

–33
–
–
–
–6
–

–39

33
–
33
37

1,243
40
3
3
–6
–1
5
–
1,286

–676
0
5
1
–48
–1

–719

532
35
567
567

4,511
77
7
58
–43
–4
76
7
4,691

–2,868
5
42
3
–164
–2

–2,983

1,581
126
1,708
1,644

137
0
–0
1
–3
–0
1
–
135

–80
0
3
0
–4
–0

–82

53
0
53
56

235
–
1
142
–1
–
–79
–2
294

–2
0
–
–
–
–

–2

293
–
293
233

Total

6,332
131
10
205
–73
–6
3
5
6,606

–3,673
5
49
4
–223
–2

–3,840

2,566
200
2,767
2,659

42 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statements13 . Leases

Right-of-use assets

Outokumpu leases land, buildings, and 
machinery and equipment used in Group’s 
operations. Contracts include typically fixed 
rental amounts, and for land and buildings, 
rents are linked to an index. The terms of new 
vehicle leases are typically 3 to 5 years, and 
lease terms for other machinery and equip-
ment range up to 15 years. Lease terms for 
land and buildings can be significantly longer 
with remaining terms for individual contracts 
on land of approximately 45–95 years. 

Leases for machinery and equipment include 
also contracts with variable lease payments 
based on usage of the equipment. Machinery 
and equipment are also hired with daily 
rates for temporary use and thus reported as 
short-term leases. Outokumpu applies the 
recognition exemption for short-term leases 
and leases of low-value assets. Leases of low 
value assets typically include office equipment. 

€ million

Historical cost on Jan 1, 2020
Additions
Other changes 

Historical cost on Dec 31, 2020

Accumulated depreciation on Jan 1, 2020
Depreciation 
Accumulated depreciation on Dec 31, 2020

Carrying value on Dec 31, 2020

€ million
Historical cost on Jan 1, 2019 before IFRS 16 transition
IFRS 16 transition impact
Additions
Other changes 
Historical cost on Dec 31, 2019

Accumulated depreciation on Jan 1, 2019
Depreciation 
Accumulated depreciation on Dec 31, 2019

Carrying value on Dec 31, 2019

Land

Buildings

Machinery and 
equipment

Advances paid

41
0
0

41

–2
–1
–3

37

Land
28
13
–
–
41

–1
–1
–2

38

42
8
0

49

–6
–6
–13

37

204
8
–2

210

–77
–27
–104

106

–
1
–

1

–
–
–

1

Buildings
1
40
0
–
42

Machinery and 
equipment
100
77
19
7
204

Advances paid
2
–
1
–2
–

–0
–6
–6

35

–52
–26
–77

126

–
–
–

–

Total

286
16
–2

301

–85
–34
–120

181

Total
131
131
19
5
286

–53
–33
–85

200

Lease liabilities

€ million

Non-current
Current

Maturity analysis of lease liabilities is presented in note 19. 

Amounts recognized in the statement of income

2020

2019

€ million

174
18
192

176
30
206

Depreciation of right-of-use assets
Interest expenses on lease liabilities
Expenses related to short-term leases
Expenses related to leases of low-value items

Amounts recognized in the statement of cash flows

€ million

Repayments of lease liabilities
Interest paid on lease liabilities

2020

2019

–34
–12
–10
–1
–56

–33
–13
–13
–1
–59

2020

2019

–33
–12
–45

–34
–13
–46

43 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statements14 . Impairment of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment

Intangible assets and property, plant and equipment by operating segment

€ million

Europe
Americas
Long Products
Ferrochrome
Other operations

Goodwill

Other intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

2020

2019

2020

2019

343
–
9
114
–
466

343
–
9
114
–
466

5
1
2
0
136
144

4
1
3
0
133
141

2020

1,140
705
88
686
11
2,631

2019

1,220
811
98
615
24
2,767

Impairment testing

Impairment testing is carried out on operating 
segment level, as they are the Group’s 
cash-generating units. Goodwill, other 
intangible assets, and property, plant and 
equipment by business area are presented in 
the above table. In addition, the test covers 
the net working capital of each business area. 
In 2020, due to COVID-19, the cash flow 
projections and other testing parameters were 
reviewed on a quarterly basis. 

The recoverable amounts of the cash-gen-
erating units are based on value-in-use 
calculations, prepared using discounted cash 
flow projections, based on the new strategy 
approved by the management in November, 
2020, and include cash flow forecasts for 
2021–2026 after which the terminal value 
is calculated. The carrying amount to which 
the recoverable amount is compared, is the 
operating capital of the segment as presented 
in note 3 and defined in the Alternative 
performance measures section of the Review 
by the Board of Directors.

Key assumptions are discount rate, terminal 
value growth rate, average global growth 
in end-use consumption of stainless steel 

and base price development, and the 
values assigned to the key assumptions are 
conservative. As the base-line for the cash 
flow projections was the performance level 
impacted by COVID-19, the estimates also 
include assumptions relating to the severity of 
the pandemic’s impact on market and financial 
development as well as the timing and pace 
of the recovery, where the management has 
used external analyses on different scenarios 
to define a realistic estimate for Outokumpu’s 
business and operating environment. 

Discount rate is the weighted average pre-tax 
cost of capital (WACC), as defined for Outo-
kumpu. The components of WACC are risk-free 
yield rate, Outokumpu credit margin, market 
risk premium, equity beta, and the Group target 
capital structure. The pre-tax WACC used for 
Europe was 8.2% (2019: 7.6%), for Americas 
10.1% (2019: 10.7%), for Long Products 9.1% 
(2019: 9.2%), and for Ferrochrome 8.1% 
(2019: 7.6%). 

In the terminal value, growth rate assump-
tions are 0.5% (2019: 0.5%) for Europe, 
Ferrochrome, and Long Products and 1.0% 
(2019: 1.0%) for Americas. Management 

believes these to be prudent based on current 
economic circumstances, although historical 
growth rates and forecasts of independent 
market analysts indicate higher long-term 
growth rates. 

Growth rate assumption used for stainless 
steel deliveries is conservative, and generally 
lower than independent analysts’ view on long-
term market development. Base price forecast 
is based on conservative assumptions. In 
addition, committed investments and expected 
cost savings have been included in the cash 
flow projections. 

The estimated recoverable amount of Europe 
exceeds its carrying amount by approximately 
EUR 1,057 million. Increase of 4.4 percentage 
points in after-tax WACC would cause the 
recoverable amount to equal the carrying 
amount. Also, 25% decrease in EBITDA would 
cause the recoverable amount to equal the 
carrying amount. A terminal growth rate of 0% 
would not lead to impairment.

The estimated recoverable amount of Americas 
exceeds its carrying amount by approximately 
EUR 181 million. Increase of 1.4 percentage 
points in after-tax WACC would cause the 

recoverable amount to equal the carrying 
amount. Also, 12% decrease in EBITDA would 
cause the recoverable amount to equal the 
carrying amount. A terminal growth rate of 0% 
would not lead to impairment.

The estimated recoverable amount of Long 
Products exceeds its carrying amount by 
approximately EUR 35 million. Increase of 1.7 
percentage points in after-tax WACC would 
cause the recoverable amount to equal the 
carrying amount. Also, 12% decrease in EBITDA 
would cause the recoverable amount to equal 
the carrying amount. A terminal growth rate of 
0% would not lead to impairment. 

The estimated recoverable amount of 
Ferrochrome exceeds its carrying amount by 
approximately EUR 277 million. Increase of 
2.8 percentage points in after-tax WACC would 
cause the recoverable amount to equal the 
carrying amount. Also, 18% decrease in EBITDA 
would cause the recoverable amount to equal 
the carrying amount. A terminal growth rate of 
0% would not lead to impairment.

As a result of the performed impairment test to 
Group’s cash-generating units, no impairment 
losses were recognized in 2020 nor 2019. 
However, impairment losses of EUR 3 million 
related to asset obsolence were recognized 
in Europe and Americas in 2020 (2019: 
impairment losses of EUR 3 million).

44 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statements15 .  Investments in 

associated companies

Outokumpu has the following associated 
companies which are all equity accounted. 
Based on the amounts reported in Group’s 
consolidated financial statements, it is 
concluded that the investments are immaterial.

Associated companies

Manga LNG Oy
OSTP Holding Oy
Rapid Power Oy

Domicile Ownership, %

Finland
Finland
Finland

45
49
33

Summarized financial information 
on associated companies

€ million

2020

2019

Carrying value of 
investments in associated 
companies
Group’s share of total 
comprehensive income

38

2

38

6

16 .  Carrying values and fair values of financial assets and liabilities by measurement category

2020 
€ million

Non-current financial assets
Equity investments
Trade and other receivables
Derivatives held for trading

Current financial assets
Other investments
Trade and other receivables
Hedge accounted derivatives
Derivatives held for trading
Cash and cash equivalents

Non-current financial liabilities
Non-current debt

Current financial liabilities
Current debt
Trade and other payables
Hedge accounted derivatives
Derivatives held for trading

Measured at

Fair value 
through other 
comprehensive 
income

Amortized cost

Fair value through 
profit or loss

Carrying
 amount

Fair value

Fair value  
hierarchy level

–
1
–

–
385
–
–
376
762

1,153

251
1,246
–
–
2,650

48
–
–

–
–
8
–
–
56

–

–
–
11
–
11

–
–
6

26
–
–
10
–
42

–

–
–
–
21
21

48
1
6

26
385
8
10
376
860

48
1
6

26
385
8
10
376
860

1,153

1,208

251
1,246
11
21
2,682

251
1,246
11
21
2,737

3
–
2

1
–
2
2
–

2

2
–
2
2

The fair value of non-current debt is determined by using quoted prices for listed instrument, for loans and lease liabilities the fair value is determined 
by discounted cash flow method where yields observed at reporting date are used. The fair value of the convertible bonds includes the value of the 
conversion rights. 

45 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statements 
2019  
€ million

Non-current financial assets
Equity investments
Trade and other receivables
Hedge accounted derivatives
Derivatives held for trading

Current financial assets
Other investments
Trade and other receivables
Hedge accounted derivatives
Derivatives held for trading
Cash and cash equivalents

Non-current financial liabilities
Non-current debt

Current financial liabilities
Current debt
Trade and other payables
Hedge accounted derivatives
Derivatives held for trading

Measured at

Fair value 
through other 
comprehensive 
income

Amortized cost

Fair value through 
profit or loss

Carrying amount

Fair value

Fair value  
hierarchy level

–
2
–
–

–
359
–
–
325
686

1,053

427
1,291
–
–
2,771

31
–
0
–

–
–
7
–
–
38

–

–
–
1
–
1

–
–
–
5

13
–
–
8
–
26

–

–
–
–
16
16

31
2
0
5

13
359
7
8
325
750

31
2
0
5

13
359
7
8
325
750

1,053

1,068

427
1,291
1
16
2,788

431
1,291
1
16
2,807

3
–
2
2

1
–
2
2
–

2

2
–
2
2

Accounting principles contain information on how fair values are defined on different levels in the fair value hierarchy. There were no transfers 
between level 1, 2 and 3 during the years. A major part of equity investments at fair value through other comprehensive income at hierarchy level 
3 relate to investments in unlisted energy producing companies. The movement in the carrying amounts of equity investments at fair value through 
other comprehensive income presented in note 17 represents also the reconciliation of level 3 changes.

17 .  Equity investments at 

fair value through other 
comprehensive income

€ million

2020

2019

Carrying value on Jan 1
Additions
Fair value changes
Carrying value on Dec 31

31
13
4
48

86
–
–55
31

Fair value reserve in equity

€ million

2020

2019

Fair value on Dec 31
Fair value at initial recognition
Fair value reserve 

48
93
–45

31
80
–49

Equity investments at fair value through other 
comprehensive income consists of investments 
which are not held for trading, and which 
the Group has irrevocably elected at initial 
recognition to recognize in this category. 
These are mainly strategic investments and 
the Group considers this classification to be 
relevant. All equity securities at fair value 
through other comprehensive income are 
unlisted. Investments include EUR 27 million 
holding in Voimaosakeyhtiö SF providing 
ownership to Fennovoima Oy and EUR 20 
million of holdings in other energy companies 
in which Outokumpu does not have control, 
joint control or significant influence. During year 
2020 Outokumpu invested EUR 13 million to 
Voimaosakeyhtiö SF and by the end of 2020 
Outokumpu has invested totally EUR 92 million 
in the shares of Voimaosakeyhtiö SF. The EUR 
4 million increase in fair value in 2020 relates 
to energy producing companies and is caused 
mainly due to rise in estimated long-term 
prices of electricity.

46 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statementsValuation model of energy producing 
companies is based on discounted cash flow 
model, which takes into account the market 
and forecasted long-term prices of electricity, 
discount rate, inflation rate, the estimated 
amount of electricity to be received and 
estimated production costs. 

Additional parameters for Voimaosakeyhtiö SF 
valuation include e.g. the expected purchase 
price of electricity under the Mankala principle, 
expected project completion date and cost 
of debt in Fennovoima Oy. The fair value of 
Voimaosakeyhtiö SF shares is highly sensitive 
to the valuation parameters and especially to 
long-term price of electricity, Fennovoima’s 
capacity utilization rate, discount rates for cash 
flows and the terminal value, inflation rate and 
project completion date. 

Long-term prices for electricity have been 
estimated by the management, and the 
estimate assumes an increase compared to 
the current price level. The long time period 
to complete the Fennovoima project and to 
operate the plant affect the reliability of such 
estimate, and reasonable changes in the 
electricity price estimate or in other valuation 
parameters can significantly impact the fair 
value of the investment. In general, the project 
risk is considered high with the estimated 
completion of the project earliest in 2029, and 
the range of potential fair values is wide.

18 . Share-based payment plans
During 2020, Outokumpu’s share based 
payment programs included Performance 
Share Plan 2012 (Plans 2018–2020, 
2019–2021 and 2020–2022), Restricted 
Share Pool Program 2012 (Plans 2018–2020, 
2019–2021 and 2020–2022) and Matching 
Share Plan for the key management. Matching 
Share Plan and Performance Share Plan 
2019–2020 for the CEO related to the former 
CEO, and ended when he left the company. 
Share-based programs are part of the Group’s 
incentive and commitment-building system for 
key employees. The objective of the programs 
is to retain, motivate and reward selected 
employees for good performance which 
supports Outokumpu’s strategy.

The Performance Share Plan 2017–2019 
ended and based on not achieving the targets, 
no shares were rewarded to the participants. 
Regarding the Restricted Share Pool Program 
plan 2017–2019, after deductions for 
applicable taxes, in total 49,147 shares were 
delivered to 53 participants based on the 
conditions of the plan.

In December 2019, the Board of Directors 
approved the commencement of the new plan 
(plan 2020–2022) of the Performance Share 
Plan from the beginning of 2020. At the end of 
the reporting period 127 persons participated 

in the plan and they had been allocated in 
total 2,903,702 gross shares (payout at 
maximum performance level).The plan’s 
earnings criterion is Outokumpu’s return on 
operating capital compared to a peer group. 

In December 2019, the Board of Directors 
approved the commencement of the new 
plan (plan 2020–2022) of Restricted Share 
Pool Program from the beginning of 2020. 
Restricted share grants are approved annually 
by the CEO on the basis of the authorization 
granted by the Board of Directors, with the 
exception of any allocations to Leadership 
Team members, which will be approved by the 
Board of Directors. At the end of the reporting 
period 37 persons participated in the plan and 
they have been allocated in total 161,900 
gross shares. 

In April 2016, the Board of Directors approved 
the commencement of Matching Share Plan 
for the management for the years 2016–2020. 
According to the plan, the participants invested 
30–120% of their annual gross base salary into 
Outokumpu shares by December 31, 2016. 
Outokumpu matched each share acquired 
by the participant with two gross shares from 
which applicable taxes were deducted and the 
remaining net number of shares was delivered 
in four equal installments at the end of 2017, 
2018, 2019 and 2020, respectively. In order 

to receive the matching shares, the partic-
ipants were required to keep all the shares 
they had acquired until the vesting of each 
matching share tranche. In 2020, the Board 
of Directors approved the delivery of the last 
reward tranche from the plan. After deduction 
of applicable taxes, the net number of shares 
delivered was 178,350.

Outokumpu used its treasury shares for all 
share reward payments.

In December 2020, the Board of Directors 
approved the commencement of the 
2021–2023 plans for the Performance Share 
Plan 2012 and the Restricted Share Pool 
Program 2012 from the beginning of 2021. 

For the financial year 2020, the share-based 
payment expenses included in the employee 
benefit expenses were EUR 1 million (2019: 
EUR –0 million). The total estimated value 
of the share-based payment plans is EUR 2 
million on December 31, 2020. This value is 
recognized as an expense in the statement of 
income during the vesting periods. 

Detailed information of the share-based incen-
tive programs can be found in  Outokumpu’s 
home page www.outokumpu.com.

47 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statementsThe general terms and conditions of the share-based incentive programs

Grant date
Vesting period
Share price at grant date
Exercised
Vesting conditions
Non-market
Other relevant conditions

Grant date
Vesting period
Share price at grant date
Exercised
Vesting conditions

Grant date
Vesting period
Share price at grant date
Exercised
Vesting conditions

Performance Share Plan 

Feb 2, 2018
Jan 1, 2018–Dec 31, 2020
6.61
In shares and cash

Feb 20, 2019
Jan 1, 2019–Dec 31, 2021
3.55
In shares and cash

March 9, 2020
Jan 1, 2020–Dec 31, 2022
2.80
In shares and cash

Outokumpu’s return on operating capital compared to a peer group 
A salary-based limit for the maximum benefits

Restricted Share Pool Program 

June 1, 2018
Jan 1, 2018–Dec 31, 2020
5.76
In shares and cash
Continuation of employment until the shares are delivered, a salary-based limit for the maximum benefits

April 18, 2019
Jan 1, 2019–Dec 31, 2021
3.72
In shares and cash

March 9, 2020
Jan 1, 2020–Dec 31, 2022
2.80
In shares and cash

Matching Share Plan for the management

April 27, 2016
Jan 1, 2017–Dec 31, 2020
5.35 1)
In shares and cash
Personal investment of 30–120% of annual gross base salary into Outokumpu shares; requirement to keep the personal investment until the vesting of each matching share 
tranch; continuation of employment until the matching shares are delivered.

1) Incentive fair value at the grant date reported as the average fair value based on the share purchase dates.

48 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statements19 .  Financial risk management, 

capital management 
and insurances

The main objectives of financial risk manage-
ment are to reduce earnings volatility and to 
secure sufficient liquidity to avoid financial 
distress. Other objectives include reduction 
of cash flow volatility and maintaining debt-to-
equity ratio as well as leverage according to set 
targets. The objective of capital management 
is to secure the ability to continue as a going 
concern and to optimize cost of capital in order 
to enhance value to shareholders, with a focus 
on sufficient liquidity during the pandemic 
in 2020. The main objectives of insurance 
management are to provide mitigation against 
catastrophe risks and to reduce earnings 
variation.

The Board of Directors has approved the risk 
management policy, which defines responsibil-
ities, process and other main principles of risk 
management. The Board of Directors oversees 
risk management on a regular basis and 
the Chief Financial Officer is responsible for 
implementation and development of financial 
risk management. Financial risk management 
is regularly monitored and reviewed by the Risk 
Management Steering Group, led by the CFO. 

Financial risks consist of market, country, 
credit, liquidity and refinancing risks. 
Subsidiary companies hedge their currency 
and commodity price risk with Outokumpu 
Oyj, which does most of the Group’s foreign 
exchange and commodity derivative contracts 
with banks and other financial institutions. 
Treasury function (“Treasury”) is responsible 
for managing foreign exchange, metal, interest 
rate, liquidity and refinancing risk as well as 
emission allowance price risk. Credit risk 
management has been mostly centralized 
to Global Business Services, and Treasury 

coordinates credit control. CFO office together 
with relevant Business Areas are responsible 
for managing electricity and fuel price risks.

Treasury sources all global insurances. 
The most important insurance lines are 
property damage and business interruption 
(PDBI), liability, marine cargo and credit 
risk. The captive insurance company Visenta 
Försäkrings aktiebolag is used in insurance 
management.

Exposure to financial risk is identified in 
connection with the risk management 
process. This approach aims to secure that 
any emerging risk is identified early and that 
each significant risk is described, quantified, 
managed and communicated properly. 
Eventually, the impacts of key financial risks 
are quantified in terms of changes to income, 
free cash flow, net debt and equity.

Market risk

Market risk categories include foreign 
exchange, interest rates, interest margins as 
well as metal, energy, emission and security 
price risk. These price changes may have a 
significant impact on Group’s earnings, cash 
flow and capital structure.

The strategy for market risk management is 
based on identifying, assessing and mitigating 
relevant risk in committed business transac-
tions and balance sheet items for each of the 
market risk categories. In interest rate, energy 
price and emission price risk the forecasted 
items are included in the underlying risk 
position. Outokumpu uses matching strategies 
and derivative contracts to partially mitigate 
impacts of market price changes. The use 
of derivatives may cause timing differences 
between derivative gains/losses and the 
earnings impact of the underlying exposure. 
In order to reduce earnings variations, hedge 
accounting is applied selectively as part of 
the metal hedging activities. Most of the 
derivatives are short-term, however interest 
rate hedges typically have a maturity in excess 
of one year.

Stainless steel business is cyclical, which may 
result in significant changes in the underlying 
exposures to different market risk factors, 
especially US dollar and nickel price. Conse-
quently, the cyclicality may lead to significant 
changes in the amounts of derivate contracts. 
Nominal amounts and fair values of derivatives 
are presented in note 20. Sensitivity of 
financial instruments to market prices is 
described in the table below.

Foreign exchange rate risk

A major part of the Group’s sales is in euros 
and US dollars. In this context, the local 
currency denominated production costs in 
the UK and Sweden cause foreign exchange 
risk. Foreign exchange cash flow risk related to 
firm commitments, e.g. price fixed sales and 
purchase orders, is usually hedged whereas 
forecasted and probable cash flows are not 
typically hedged but can be hedged selectively.  
Continuing an exception to hedging policy 
approved in 2019, the main operating entity in 
Sweden hedged its fixed price sales orders to 
limited extent, and did not hedge its fixed price 
purchase orders.

The main dollar cash flow risk origins from 
ferrochrome operations as a consequence of 
chromium being priced in US dollars. Another 
significant dollar cash flow risk is embedded 
in sales margins due to dollar-linked stainless 
scrap purchase discounts. 

Fair value risk consists of currency denomi-
nated accounts receivable, accounts payable, 
debt, cash, loan receivables and commodity 
derivatives. Outokumpu aims to hedge most 
of the identified fair value risk with derivative 
contracts. Internal Swedish krona denominated 
financing causes significant fair value exchange 

Sensitivity of financial instruments to market risks

€ million

+/–10% change in EUR/USD exchange rate
+/–10% change in EUR/SEK exchange rate
+/–10% change in nickel price in USD
+/–1% parallel shift in interest rates

Dec 31, 2020

Dec 31, 2019

In profit or loss

In other comprehensive 
income

In profit or loss

In other comprehensive 
income

+3/–4
–2/+3
+0/–0
–9/+10

–
–
+5/–5
–

+5/–6
–9/+11
–3/+3
–6/+7

–
–
+0/–0
–

The sensitivity analyses apply to financial assets and liabilities only. Other assets and liabilities, including defined benefit pension plan assets and 
liabilities, as well as off-balance sheet items such as sales and purchase orders, are not in the scope of these analyses. The calculations are net of 
tax. During the year the volatility for nickel price has been in the range of 21–31%. With +/–30% change in dollar denominated price, the effect in 
profit or loss is about EUR +0/–0 million and in other comprehensive income EUR +15/–15 million for nickel derivatives.

49 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statementsForeign exchange positions of EUR-based companies

€ million 

Trade receivables and payables
Loans and bank accounts 1)
Derivatives 
Net position

Dec 31, 2020

Dec 31, 2019

SEK

–6
440
–438
–4

USD

–257
50
179
–28

GBP Other

11
0
–30
–19

7
6
–27
–14

SEK

0
525
–525
0

USD

–248
59
183
–7

GBP Other

12
–7
–14
–9

11
17
–29
–1

Foreign exchange positions of SEK-based companies

€ million 

Trade receivables and payables
Loans and bank accounts 1)
Derivatives 
Net position

Dec 31, 2020

USD

GBP Other

–23
9
–1
–15

2
1
–12
–10

5
1
–12
–5

EUR

67
9
–122
–46

Dec 31, 2019

USD

GBP Other

–17
8
–49
–58

4
0
–11
–7

18
1
–29
–9

EUR

69
26
–217
–121

1) Includes cash and cash equivalents, loan receivables and debt. 

Currency distribution and re-pricing of outstanding net debt

Dec 31, 2020

€ million 
Currency

EUR
SEK
USD
Others

€ million 
Currency

EUR
SEK
USD
Others

Net debt 1)

Derivatives 2) Average rate, % 1) Duration. year 3) Rate sensitivity 4)

1,204
–26
–94
–56
1,028

–450
436
18
3
7

5.1
0.0
0.0
0.3

3.9
0.1
–0.0
–0.0

3.4
4.1
–0.8
–0.5
6 .2

Dec 31, 2019

Net debt 1)

Derivatives 2) Average rate, % 1) Duration. year 3) Rate sensitivity 4)

1,292
–9
–77
–50
1,155

–587
581
6
5
5

5.6
–0.1
1.0
0.8

2.8
0.2
0.0
0.0

3.5
5.7
–0.7
–0.5
8.0

1) Includes cash and cash equivalents and debt.

2)  Net derivative liabilities include nominal value of interest rate and currency forwards earmarked to net debt. 

Currency forwards are not included in average rate calculation.

3) Duration calculation includes both net debt and derivatives. 

4) The effect of one percentage point increase in interest rates to financial expenses over the following year.

rate risk, which is hedged with forward 
contracts and, if possible, with matching of 
external debt. The Group’s fair value foreign 
exchange position is presented in a more 
detailed level in the table.

Outokumpu’s net income and net investment 
translation risk is mainly in US dollars, Swedish 
kronas and British pounds. Based on the policy 
this risk can be hedged selectively and in 2020 
there were no hedges related to net income 
or net investment exposures. The effective 
portion of gains (EUR 17 million, net of tax) on 
earlier financial years’ net investment hedges 
is recognized in equity.

Changes in currency rates cause translation 
differences in debt and have therefore impact 
on Group’s capital structure. The largest debt 
translation risk relates to Swedish krona 
denominated internal loans. 

Interest rate risk

The Group’s interest rate risk is monitored 
as cash flow risk i.e. impact of interest rate 
changes on net interest expenses, and fair 
value risk i.e. impact of interest rate changes 
on fair value of monetary assets and liabilities. 
In order to manage the balance between risk 
and cost in an optimal way, significant part of 
debt has effectively short-term interest rate 
as a reference rate. This approach typically 
helps to reduce average interest rate of debt 
while it may also provide some mitigation 
against a risk of adverse changes in business 
environment, which tends to result to decrease 
in interest rates. In 2020 these conditions 
existed, which have positive impact on financial 
income and expenses.

Swedish krona, euro and US dollar have 
substantial contribution to the overall interest 
rate risk. Approximately 47% (2019: 64%) of 
the Group’s debt has an interest period of less 

than one year and the average interest rate 
of non-current debt on December 31, 2020 
was 4.9% (Dec 31, 2019: 4.5%). Interest rate 
position is presented on a more detailed level 
in the table. Outokumpu is also exposed to 
variation of credit margins, mainly in regards 
of any new financing, e.g. in connection with 
issue of commercial papers and new long-term 
debt. Furthermore, interest expenses and other 
financing expenses are somewhat affected 
by development of the leverage ratio due to 
margin grid definition in some of the loan 
agreements. 

Changes in interest rates impact pension plan 
asset and liability values. The net liability of 
defined benefit plans and other long-term 
employee benefits was EUR 250 million at year 
end and an increase in long-term interest rates 
would typically be expected to decrease the 
net liability of the plans. 

Metal and energy price risk

Outokumpu uses a substantial amount of raw 
materials and energy for which prices are 
determined in regulated markets, such as 
London Metal Exchange (“LME”) and Nasdaq 
Commodities. Timing differences between alloy 
metal purchases and pricing of stainless steel; 
changes in inventory levels; and the capability 
to pass on price changes in raw materials to 
end-product prices affect metal risk. Since 
there is no established financial derivative 
market for chromium, this risk is categorized 
as business risk.

Apart from chromium, changes in nickel price 
is the most important metal price risk for 
Outokumpu. A significant part of stainless-steel 
sales contracts includes an alloy surcharge 
clause, with the aim of reducing the risk 
arising from the timing difference between 
alloy metal purchase and stainless-steel 
delivery. Outokumpu’s nickel position consists 

50 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statements 
of price fixed purchase orders, inventories of 
nickel- containing materials and price fixed 
sales orders. Based on the financial risk policy 
the identified nickel price risk, excluding 
the risk related to the base stock, must be 
hedged. Nickel forwards and options are used 
to manage impacts of nickel price changes 
on earnings, whereas efficient working capital 
management helps to reduce cash flow 
variations caused by metal prices.

During the reporting year, the share of sales 
contracts in Europe with fixed price continued 
to increase. Furthermore, the ability to pass 
price changes in alloy metals to stainless 
steel prices varied resulting in a varying price 
relationship between e.g. LME nickel prices 
and stainless steel.

Hedge accounting programs in nickel 
derivatives were broadened during 2020. Both 
Business Area Europe and Business Area Amer-
icas have active hedge accounting programs 
in nickel derivatives. The hedge accounting 
covers a meaningful part of Group nickel price 
risk and has reduced volatility of the underlying 
nickel linked earnings. For further details on 
hedge accounting please see Note 20.

Outokumpu’s exposure to iron price is similar 
to that of nickel, except for the value of the 
exposure being lower and secondly, Outo-
kumpu produces some iron in connection with 
the Kemi chromite mining. 

Outokumpu’s main production sites in Europe 
are participating in the EU Emissions Trading 
Scheme (ETS). The amounts of realized and 
forecasted carbon dioxide emissions and 
granted emission allowances are monitored at 
Group level. In certain situations, the market 
price of power can be partially based on price 
of carbon emissions. This indirect exposure 
to emission prices can be significant for 

Outokumpu due to energy intensive processes 
using power and fuels. At year end, Outokumpu 
had adequate amount of emission allowances 
to cover all forecasted needs of the (phase III) 
emission trading period, ending in 2020.

Outokumpu manages energy price risk centrally. 
The electricity and gas price risks are reduced 
with fixed price supply contracts and partial 
ownership in power utilities.

Security price risk

Outokumpu has equity investments and fixed 
income securities. On December 31, 2020, 
the biggest investments were in OSTP Holding 
Oy (investment in associated company of EUR 
23 million) and Voimaosakeyhtiö SF.

The investment in Voimaosakeyhtiö SF provides 
Outokumpu with appr. 14% indirect stake 
in the Fennovoima Oy nuclear power plant 
project. This stake gives Outokumpu access to 
estimated 170 MW power capacity once the 
project has been completed. Information on 
the valuation of the investment is presented in 
note 17.

The captive insurance company Visenta 
Försäkringsaktiebolag has investments totaling 
EUR 26 million in highly rated and liquid fixed 
income securities as well as fixed income and 
equity funds in order to optimize return for 
assets and to manage the risk prudently.

Outokumpu has a defined benefit pension plan 
in the UK. This plan has assets approximately 
EUR 0.5 billion, most of which have been 
invested in fixed income securities and almost 
one fifth to return seeking assets. Changes 
in security prices would therefore impact the 
net asset reported on this plan. Based on the 
locally applied technical provisions the plan 
assets cover nearly in full the plan liabilities 

at year end. For more information please see 
note 25.

e.g. Argentina due to Outokumpu’s local and 
cross-border business activities there. 

Country and credit risk

Outokumpu’s sales have been covered by 
approved credit limits or secured payment 
terms. Most of the outstanding trade 
receivables have been secured by trade credit 
insurances, which typically cover some 95% 
of the insured amount. Part of the credit 
risk related to trade receivables is managed 
with letters of credit, advance payments and 
guarantees.

On December 31, 2020, the maximum 
exposure to credit risk of trade receivables was 
EUR 384 million (2019: EUR 359 million). The 
portion of unsecured receivables during 2020 
has been approximately 4–6% of all trade 
receivables. During 2020, credit limits have 
remained available from the insurer and there 
is no significant change in the insurance cover.  
As a COVID-19 mitigation action, Outokumpu 
has more frequently monitored credit risk and 
the overdue situation and continued its close 
co-operation with the insurers. For significant 
part of trade receivables Outokumpu uses 
factoring, which transfers most risks and 
rewards to the buyer of the receivables. At the 
end of the year, most of the receivables were 
generated by a large number of customers and 
there were only a few risk concentrations. Age 
analysis of accounts receivables is presented 
in note 22.

Treasury monitors credit risk related to financial 
institutions. Outokumpu seeks to reduce these 
risks by limiting the counterparties to banks 
and other financial institutions with good 
credit standing. For the derivative transactions, 
Outokumpu prefers to have ISDA framework 
agreements in place. Exposure to country risk 
is monitored and at year-end such risk included 

Liquidity and refinancing risk

Outokumpu raises most of its debt centrally. 
The Group seeks to reduce liquidity and 
refinancing risk by having sufficient amount 
of cash and long-term committed credit lines 
available, by having balanced maturity profile 
of debt and by diversifying sources of funding. 
Daily liquidity is optimized by issuance of 
commercial papers and by doing currency 
swaps. Efficient cash and liquidity management 
is also reducing liquidity risk. Finance plans are 
prepared and reviewed regularly with a focus 
on forecasted cash flow, projected funding 
requirements, planned funding transactions 
during the forecast period and financial 
covenant headroom. The adequacy of liquidity 
reserves, the amounts of scheduled annual 
repayments of non-current debt compared to 
EBITDA as well as forecasted debt-to-equity 
and leverage ratios are key measurements in 
the planning.

In 2020, Outokumpu strengthened its 
liquidity reserves in response to the COVID-19 
pandemic as well as improved its maturity 
profile of debt. In March, Outokumpu refi-
nanced EUR 120 million pension loan with new 
maturity of 10 years. In July, Outokumpu issued 
new EUR five years 125 million unsecured 
convertible bonds, where the proceeds were 
used for general corporate purposes and the 
prepayment of debt. In October, Outokumpu 
signed a new SEK 1000 million secured 
revolving credit facility, which is guaranteed by 
the Swedish Export Credit Agency EKN. The 
facility can be used to finance Outokumpu’s 
subsidiary Outokumpu Stainless Ab in Sweden 
and includes a condition allowing for two 

51 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statementsCredit facilities

€ million

Committed revolving credit facility 

Committed Kemi mine investment facility
Committed SEK 1,000 million revolving credit facility 
Commited facilities total
Uncommitted Finnish commercial paper program

1) Availability period until March 2022

B2. Both ratings have negative outlook at the 
end of the year.

Maturity

May 2021
May 2022
May 2023
Sept 2030 1)
May 2022

N/A

Total 2020
76
42
532
120
100
870
800

Utilized 
2020
–
–
–
86
–
86
231

Available 
2020
76
42
532
34
100
784
569

Total 2019 Utilized 2019

Available 
2019

76
574
–
120
–
770
800

–
–
–
42
–
42
101

76
574
–
78
–
728
699

consecutive yearly extensions of the maturity 
until the end of May 2024. In addition, in 
December, Outokumpu agreed an amendment 
and extension of its syndicated revolving credit 
facility allowing for two consecutive yearly 
extension requests of the maturity dates until 
the end of May 2024. Out of EUR 574 million 
maturing at the end of May 2022, a facility 
amount of EUR 532 was extended until end of 
May 2023. Furthermore, the use of the EUR 
120 million Kemi mine facility continued and 
Outokumpu drew EUR 44 million new long-term 
capital expenditure funding for the project. In 
addition to funding measures, Outokumpu also 
deferred VAT payments in Finland of EUR 75 
million of which EUR 61 million is outstanding 
at year end.

Net debt development

€ million

2020

2019

Net cash flow from operating 
activities 
Net cash flow from investing 
activities
Cash flow before financing 
activities
Dividends paid
Convertible bond equity 
portion
Other financing cash flow
Cash flow impact on net debt

Opening net debt
IFRS 16 transition impact
Cash flow impact on net debt
Change in net debt, non–cash 
Closing net debt

322

–175

147
–

17
0
164

1,155
–
–164
37
1,028

371

–65

306
–62

–
3
248

1,241
131
–248
32
1,155

In 2020 the Moody’s corporate family rating for 
Outokumpu decreased from B2 to B3 and the 
rating for secured notes decreased from B1 to 

52 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statements 
The revolving credit facility totalling EUR 650 
million, the sustainability linked term loan 
and the notes due in 2024 are secured by 
a comprehensive security package, which 
includes pledges on real estate in Tornio and 
Calvert, pledges of shares of certain material 
subsidiary companies and guarantees issued 
by many of the material subsidiary companies. 
Outokumpu and its secured lenders have 
signed an intercreditor agreement in February 
2014, when the security package was originally 
created. More information on liquidity and 
refinancing risk is presented in the following 
table.

Contractual cash flows

2020
€ million

Bonds
Convertible bonds
Loans from financial institutions 
Pension loans
Lease liabilities
Other loans
Commercial papers
Trade payables
Interest payments and facility charges
Currency derivatives

Outflows
Inflows

Interest derivatives

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026–

–
–
2
–
18
0
231
1,246
67

1,267
–1,279
–2
1,550

–
–
5
13
17
0
–
–
61

–
–
–2
94

–
–
340
43
15
0
–
–
46

–
–
–2
442

250
–
10
37
15
0
–
–
28

–
–
–1
339

–
125
10
31
14
0
–
–
18

–
–
–
198

–
–
51
76
113
6
–
–
167

–
–
–
413

On December 31, 2020, the Group had cash and cash equivalent amounting to EUR 376 million 
and committed available long-term credit facilities totaling EUR 674 million. In addition, the EUR 
34 million long-term facility is available for financing the Kemi mine investment. 

2019
€ million

Bonds
Convertible bonds
Loans from financial institutions 
Pension loans
Lease liabilities
Commercial papers
Trade payables
Interest payments and facility charges
Currency derivatives

Outflows
Inflows

Interest derivatives

2020

–
250
8
40
30
101
1,180
66

1,816
–1,813
–1
1,678

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025–

–
–
4
48
64
–
–
55

–
–
–1
171

–
–
4
62
11
–
–
42

–
–
–1
118

–
–
405
28
9
–
–
27

–
–
–1
467

250
–
5
22
8
–
–
12

–
–
–1
296

–
–
30
24
84
–
–
148

–
–
–
285

On December 31, 2019, the Group had cash and cash equivalent amounting to EUR 325 million 
and committed available long-term credit facilities totaling EUR 650 million. In addition, the EUR 
78 million long-term facility is available for financing the Kemi mine investment. 

53 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statementsThe Group’s internal capital structure is 
reviewed on a regular basis with an aim to 
optimize it e.g. by applying internal dividends 
and equity adjustments. In 2020, several 
capital transactions were made between 
German units and from Germany to Sweden 
and Finland. In addition a shareholder contribu-
tion was made to Visenta Försäkringaktiebolag. 
Net investment and debt in foreign subsidiaries 
are monitored and Outokumpu has capability 
to hedge net investment translation risk.

Visenta Försäkringsaktiebolag has to comply 
with capital adequacy requirements set by 
the financial supervisory authority in Sweden. 
During the reporting period Visenta has 
been profitable and well capitalized to meet 
externally imposed requirements, which are 
based e.g. on Solvency II framework. 

The management monitors Group’s capital 
structure based on debt-to-equity ratio, which 
is calculated as net debt divided by total 
equity, and on a basis of leverage ratio, which 
is calculated as net debt divided by adjusted 
EBITDA. Outokumpu’s long-term targets are 
to have debt-to-equity ratio below 35% and 
leverage below 1.0. Outokumpu also targets to 
improve its current credit ratings.

Capital management

The objectives of capital management are to 
secure ability to continue as a going concern 
and to optimize cost of capital in order to 
enhance value to shareholders, with a focus 
on sufficient liquidity during the pandemic in 
2020. As part of these objectives, Outokumpu 
seeks to maintain access to loan and capital 
markets at all times despite of the cyclical 
nature of the stainless-steel industry. The 
Board of Directors reviews the capital structure 
of the Group on a regular basis. Capital 
structure and debt capacity are taken into 
account when deciding e.g. on investments 
and dividends. Tools to manage equity capital 
include dividend policy, share buybacks and 
issues of equity or equity-linked securities. 
Debt capital is managed taking into account 
the requirement to maintain good liquidity 
and the capability to refinance maturing debt. 
These topics are considered in connection with 
cost of capital optimization.

Tools to manage debt capital include issue of 
new debt, prepayment of loans and liability 
management measures, such as the use of 
call options of issued notes. In 2020 several 
measures targeting to increase liquidity and 
average maturity of debt were implemented. 
The revolving credit facilities, the sustainability 
linked term loan and the Kemi mine financing 
facility include financial covenants, which are 
based on debt-to-equity ratios. The notes 
maturing in 2024 include an incurrence based 
financial covenant on debt-to-equity ratio and 
the defined covenant level is 100 percent. In 
2020 Outokumpu was in compliance with the 
financial covenants of its financing agreements.

Capital structure

Insurances

€ million

Total equity 

Non-current debt
Current debt
Total debt

2020

2,360

1,153
251
1,404

2019

2,562

1,053
427
1,480

Total capitalization 

3,764

4,042

Total debt
Cash and cash equivalents
Net debt

Debt-to-equity ratio, %
Net debt to adjusted EBITDA

1,404
–376
1,028

2020

43 .6
4 .1

1,480
–325
1,155

2019

45.1
4.4

The debt-to-equity ratio improved slightly 
despite of low profitability. Successful cost 
scrutiny and cash preservation through working 
capital management and capex reductions 
supported the ratio to remain stable.

The Group’s business is capital intensive and 
key production processes are rather tightly 
integrated and have therefore interdependen-
cies. Property damage and business interrup-
tion insurance, covering e.g. fires, machinery 
breakdowns and natural catastrophes, is the 
most important insurance line and significant 
portion of insurance premiums paid relate 
to this PDBI cover. Business operations may 
cause significant liability risks related e.g. to 
people, environment or Outokumpu’s products. 
Outokumpu aims to mitigate liability risk by 
relevant risk management measures and by 
having reasonable insurances in place. Other 
significant insurance lines include marine cargo 
and credit. During the reporting year there 
were no events leading to significant insurance 
claims. Outokumpu’s captive insurance 
company, Visenta Försäkringsaktiebolag, is 
registered in Sweden and can operate as direct 
insurer and as reinsurer. The assets increased 
in 2020 to EUR 42 million (2019: EUR 19 
million) due to shareholder’s contribution 
of SEK 220 million. This enabled Visenta to 
continue and increase its participation to Outo-
kumpu’s property and business interruption 
insurance. Visenta also continued to provide 
surety to cover certain potential environmental 
liabilities in connection with the operations in 
Kemi and Tornio.

Outokumpu continued its systematic fire safety 
and loss prevention audit program, focusing 
on execution of the mitigating actions. Due 
to 2020 travel restrictions, many audits were 
conducted virtually using in-house expertise in 
co-operation with external advisors.

54 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statements20 . Fair values and nominal amounts of derivative instruments

2020

2019

2020

2019

Positive 
fair value

Negative 
fair value

Net 
fair value

Net 
fair value

Nominal 
amounts

Nominal 
amounts

€ million
Currency and interest rate 
derivatives

Currency forwards 
Currency options, bought
Interest rate swaps

Metal derivatives 

Forward nickel contracts, 
hedge accounted
Forward nickel contracts
Forward molybdenum 
contracts
Nickel options, bought 

4
–
6

8
6

–
–

–16
–
–

–11
–5

–
–

–12
–
6

–4
1

–
–

–8

1,273
–
325

1,815
6
200

Tonnes

Tonnes

26,417
19,132

–
–

8,048
9,772

18
5,500

–3
0
5

6
–6

–0
0

3

5
–2

Total derivatives

24

–32

Less long-term derivatives
Interest rate swaps
Short-term derivatives

6
17

–
–32

6
–15

Fair values are estimated based on market rates and prices on the reporting date, discounted 
future cash flows and, in respect of options, on common option pricing models.

Hedge accounted cash flow 
hedges (nickel derivatives) 

In 2020, Outokumpu continued cash flow 
hedge accounting for two selected nickel 
hedging programs, for sales and purchases, 
and began a new one for sales in order to 
reduce volatility of the underlying nickel linked 
earnings. The programs are implemented 
for business area Americas and business 
area Europe and cover meaningful part of 
the Group sales contracts. Fair value of the 
nickel contracts included in hedge accounting 
is deferred in other comprehensive income 
and realized derivative result is recognized 
in sales or cost of sales depending on the 
nature of underlying hedged item during the 

same reporting period as the underlying item 
is recognized. In the purchase cash flow 
hedge program, the realized part of the nickel 
derivatives are first reclassified from other 
comprehensive income to inventory for certain 
period of time before allocating to cost of 
sales. Only the spot component related to 
nickel derivatives is under hedge accounting, 
forward element is recognized in profit or loss. 
The used nickel derivative instruments are 
forwards. The selected derivative instruments 
correspond to the pricing model used in the 
underlying. The ineffectiveness is tested 
regularly. The management estimates that 
possible ineffectiveness can arise related to 
credit risk or timing of transactions, but these 
are estimated to be immaterial. 

Fair value of nickel derivatives, € million
Nominal amount of nickel derivatives, tons
Hedge ratio
Fair value reserve in other comprehensive income, € million
Reclassified from other comprehensive income to profit or loss, € million 1)
Reclassified from other comprehensive income to profit or loss, € million 2)
Reclassified from other comprehensive income to inventory, € million 

1) Included in sales
2) Included in cost of sales

2020

–4
26,417
1:1
–4
–2
7
–4

2019

6
8,048
1:1
6
–10
7
2

Hedge accounted cash flow 
hedges (EUR/SEK)

Master netting agreements 
and similar arrangements

Outokumpu had a ten year EUR/SEK hedge 
accounting program which ended at year end 
2019. In 2019, the remaining part EUR 4 
million was reclassified from other comprehen-
sive income to profit and loss, to cost of sales. 

Outokumpu enters into derivative transactions 
with most counterparties under ISDA agree-
ments. In general the amounts owed by each 
counterparty on a single day in respect of all 
transactions outstanding in the same currency 
are aggregated into a single net amount that 
is payable by one party to the other. In certain 
circumstances, e.g. when a credit event such 

55 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statements 
as a default occurs, all outstanding transac-
tions under the agreement are terminated, 
the termination value is assessed and only a 
single amount is payable in settlement of all 
transactions. ISDA agreements do not meet 
the criteria for offsetting in the statement 

of financial position. The right to offset is 
enforceable only on the occurrence of future 
credit events. The following table sets out 
the carrying amounts of recognized financial 
instruments that are subject to the agreements 
described above.

€ million 

Derivative assets

Gross amounts of recognized financial assets in the statement of financial position
Related financial instruments that are not offset

Derivative liabilities

Gross amounts of recognized financial liabilities in the statement of 
financial position
Related financial instruments that are not offset

21 . Inventories

€ million

Raw materials and consumables
Work in progress
Finished goods and merchandise
Advance payments

2020

2019

24
15
8

32
15
17

20
11
9

17
11
6

2020

387
419
369
2
1,177

2019

440
460
523
0
1,424

The most important commodity price risk for 
Outokumpu is caused by fluctuation in nickel 
and other alloy prices. The alloy surcharge 
clause as well as daily fixed pricing of stainless 
steel can reduce the risk arising from the time 
difference between raw material purchase and 
product delivery. However, the risk is significant, 
because the delivery cycle in production is 
longer than the alloy surcharge mechanism 
expects and the daily fixed pricing can also 
deviate from this cycle depending on the timing 
of the delivery. As the prices for all products to 
be sold in the future are not known, a signif-
icant part of the future prices are estimated 

according to management’s best knowledge in 
net realizable value (NRV) calculations. Due to 
fluctuation in nickel and other alloy prices, the 
realized prices can deviate significantly from 
what has been used in NRV calculations on 
the closing date. Reversal of NRV write-downs 
of EUR 15 million were recognized in income 
statement during 2020 (2019: write-downs of 
EUR 1 million). In 2020, Outokumpu continued 
to apply cash flow hedge accounting for two 
selected nickel hedging cases and started a 
new, third one. More details on commodity 
price risk are presented in note 19 and on 
hedge accounting in note 20.

22 . Trade and other receivables

€ million

Non-current

Other accruals and receivables

Current

Trade receivables
VAT receivable
Income tax receivable
Prepaid insurance expenses
Other accruals

Other receivables

Impairment of trade receivables

On Jan 1
Recovery of doubtful receivables
On Dec 31

Age analysis of trade receivables

Neither impaired, nor past due
Past due 1–30 days
Past due 31–60 days
More than 60 days

2020

2019

1

2

384
44
23
10
35

41
537

7 
–1
5

362
17
3
2
384

359
55
29
9
28

34
514

7
–
7

312
40
3
4
359

The maximum exposure to credit risk at the 
reporting date is the carrying amount of trade 
receivables. Most of the outstanding trade 
receivables have been secured by credit 
insurance policies, which typically cover some 
95% of an insured credit loss. Credit risks 
related to trade receivables are presented in 
more detail in note 19. Expected credit losses 
are calculated as defined in the accounting 
principles of these financial statements (see 
note 2).

As of December 31, 2020 Outokumpu has 
derecognized trade receivables totaling EUR 

269 million (2019: EUR 321 million), which 
represents fair value of the assets. Net 
proceeds received totaled EUR 263 million 
(2019: EUR 312 million). Underlying assets 
have maturity of less than one year. The 
maximum amount of loss related to derecog-
nized assets is estimated to be EUR 10 million 
(2019: EUR 11 million). This estimate is based 
on insurance policies and contractual arrange-
ments of factoring companies and Outokumpu. 
The analysis does not include impact of any 
operational risk related to Outokumpu’s 
contractual responsibilities. 

56 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statements23 . Cash and cash equivalents

24 . Equity

€ million

Cash at bank and in hand 
Short-term bank deposits and 
cash equivalents

2020

374

2
376

2019

323

2
325

Fair value of cash and cash equivalents does 
not significantly differ from the carrying value. 
The average effective interest rate of cash 
and cash equivalents at the end of 2020 was 
–0.0% (Dec 31, 2019: 0.2%).

Share capital, premium fund and invested unrestricted equity reserve

€ million

On Jan 1, 2019
Shares delivered from the share-based payment programs 1)
On Dec 31, 2019
Shares delivered from the share-based payment programs 1)
On Dec 31, 2020
Treasury shares 1)
Total number of shares on Dec 31, 2020

Number 
of shares, 
1,000

410,564
1,211
411,775
227
412,002
4,372
416,374

Share 
capital

Premium 
fund

Invested 
unrestricted  
equity reserve

311
–
311
–
311

714
–
714
–
714

2,103
–
2,103
–
2,103

Total

3,127
–
3,127
–
3,127

1)  Shares granted from treasury shares without effect to share capital. The movement in the cost of treasury 

shares is presented in the statement of changes in the equity.

According to the Articles of Association, 
Outokumpu share does not have a nominal 
value.

Premium fund includes proceeds from share 
subscription and other contribution based on 
the old Finnish Limited Liability Companies 
Act for the part the contributions exceed the 
account equivalent value allocated to share 
capital. Invested unrestricted equity reserve 
includes net proceeds from the rights issues 
in 2014 and 2012. Fair value reserve from 
financial assets at fair value through other 
comprehensive income includes movements 
in the fair values of equity securities and 

fair value reserve from derivatives includes 
movements in the fair values of derivative 
instruments used for cash flow hedging. See 
note 17 for more information on the equity 
securities and note 20 for more information on 
derivative instruments. Other reserves include 
amounts transferred from the distributable 
equity under the Articles of Association or by 
a decision of the General Meeting of Share-
holders, and other items based on the local 
regulations of the Group companies. Retained 
earnings include remeasurements of defined 
benefit plans, treasury shares, cumulative 
translation differences and other retained 
earnings and losses.

Distributable funds

On December 31, 2020, the distributable 
funds of the parent company totaled EUR 
2,312 million of which retained earnings 
were EUR 188 million. The Board of Directors 
proposes to the Annual General Meeting in 
2021 that no dividend will be paid for 2020. 
No dividend was paid for 2019.

57 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statements25 .  Employee benefit 

obligations

Outokumpu has established several defined 
benefit and defined contribution plans in 
various countries. The most significant defined 
benefit plans are in Germany representing 40% 
and in the UK representing 57% of Group’s 
total defined benefit liability.

Germany

In Germany, Outokumpu has several defined 
benefit plans, of which major plans include 
a management plan, open pension plans for 
normal staff, and other pension obligations, 
which are nearly all closed for new entrants. 
Basis to all pension obligations in Germany 
are bargaining agreements and/or individual 
contracts (management obligations). Manage-
ment plan and other pension obligations are 
based on annuity payments, whereas plans for 
normal employees are based on one lump sum 
payment after retirement. 

In addition, all the obligations are embedded 
in Germany in the BetrAVG law. The law 
contains rules for vested rights, pension 
protection scheme and regulations for the 
pension adjustments. In Germany no funding 
requirements exist, and the plans have been 
for most part unfunded. However, in 2019 a 
CTA model (Contractual Trust Arrangement) 
was introduced under which the plans are 
funded and previously unfunded plans are 
reported as funded.

The UK

The scheme is registered under UK legislation 
and is contracted out of the State Second 
Pension. The scheme is subject to the scheme 
funding requirements outlined in UK legislation. 
The scheme trustees are responsible for the 
operation and governance of the scheme, 
including making decisions regarding the 

scheme’s funding and investment strategy. 
In 2020 a GBP 110 million buy-in insurance 
solution was implemented to the scheme 
changing the scheme’s asset portfolio. 

Risks associated with 
defined benefit plans

Through its defined benefit pension plans, 
Outokumpu is exposed to a number of risks, 
the most significant of which are detailed 
below.

Asset volatility: The level of equity returns 
is a key factor in the overall investment 
return. If a plan holds significant proportion 
of equities, which are expected to outperform 
corporate bonds in the long-term, it might face 
higher volatility and risk in the short-term. The 
investment portfolio might also be subject to a 
range of other risks typical of the assets held, 
in particular credit risk on bonds and exposure 
to the property market.

Change in bond yields: A decrease in 
corporate bond yields will increase plan 
liabilities, although this will be partially offset 
by an increase in the value of the plans’ bond 
holdings (if any). In a situation where the return 
on plan assets is lower than the corporate 
bond yields, a plan may face a shortfall which 
might lead to increased contributions.

Inflation risk: Inflation rate is linked to both 
future pension and salary increase, and higher 
inflation will lead to higher liabilities. 

Longevity: The majority of Outokumpu’s 
defined benefit obligations are to provide 
benefits for the life of the member, so 
increases in life expectancy will result in an 
increase in the plans’ liabilities. 

Funding

Funding requirements are generally based 
on pension fund’s actuarial measurement 

framework set out in the funding policies and 
local regulation. In the UK preliminary pension 
fund’s latest actuarial valuation started in 
January 1, 2017 and was completed in 2018 
with a deficit of GBP 36 million. The valuation 
was not based on the same assumptions as 
the IFRS valuation, which shows a surplus. 
Since the valuation, Outokumpu has made 
contributions to cover the deficit. In 2020, 

these contributions were GBP 6 million, and 
the remaining GBP 3 million will be paid in 
February 2021. The preliminary actuarial 
valuation started on January 1, 2020 indicates 
continued improvement on the scheme’s 
funding and this new valuation is expected to 
be finalized during the first quarter of 2021.

Defined benefit cost recognized in the consolidated 
statements of income and comprehensive income

€ million

2020

2019

In EBIT
In financial income and expenses
Defined benefit cost recognized in the consolidated statement of income
In other comprehensive income
Total defined benefit cost recognized

Gross defined benefit obligations and plan assets

€ million

Present value of funded defined benefit obligations
Present value of unfunded defined benefit obligations
Fair value of plan assets
Net defined benefit liability

Amounts recognized in the consolidated statement of financial position

€ million

Defined benefit liability
Defined benefit plan assets
Net defined benefit liability
Other long-term employee benefit liabilities

–5
–2
–8
–12
–19

2020

781
3
–534
250

–7
–3
–10
–43
–53

2019

783
3
–537
249

2020

2019

314
–64
250
16

318
–68
249
18

Gross defined benefit obligations and plan assets are presented in the statement of financial position netted 
per plan either as a liability or an asset depending on nature of the netted item. The defined benefit liability and 
the other long-term employee benefit obligations are presented in the statement of financial position aggregated 
amounting to EUR 329 million on December 31, 2020 (Dec 31, 2019: EUR 335 million).

58 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statementsMovement in net defined benefit liability

€ million

On Jan 1
Current service cost
Interest expense/(income)
Remeasurements arising from
Return on plan assets
Demographic assumptions
Financial assumptions
Experience adjustment

Exchange differences
Employer contributions
Benefits paid
Settlements
On Dec 31

2020

2019

Present 
value of 
obligation

Fair value 
of plan 
assets

Net 
defined 
benefit 
liability 

Present 
value of 
obligation

Fair value 
of plan 
assets

Net 
defined 
benefit 
liability 

786
5
12

–
–15
68
–9
–25
–
–38
–1
783

–537
–
–10

–32
–
–
–
28
–22
38
1
–534

249
5
2

–32
–15
68
–9
2
–22
–
–0
250

702
6
16

–
–7
88
–0
21
–
–40
1
786

–471
–
–13

–38
–
–
–
–24
–31
40
–
–537

231
6
3

–38
–7
88
–0
–3
–31
–
1
249

The present value of obligations and the 
fair value of plan assets comprise mainly of 
German and UK plans. The present value of 
obligation for German plans on December 31, 
2020 was EUR 315 million (Dec 31, 2019: 
EUR 316 million), and the fair value of plan 
assets was EUR 13 million (Dec 31, 2019: 
EUR 11 million) on December 31, 2020. For 
the UK, the present value of obligation was 
EUR 445 million (Dec 31, 2019: EUR 444 
million), and the fair value of plan assets was 
EUR 509 million (Dec 31, 2019: EUR 512 
million) on December 31, 2020.

The weighted average duration of the overall 
defined benefit obligation is 17.2 years. 
In Germany and in the UK the weighted 
average durations are 13.8 and 20.2 years, 
respectively. 

The expected contributions to be paid to the 
defined benefit plans in 2021 are EUR 28 
million.

Allocation of plan assets

€ million

Equity instruments
Debt instruments
Other assets
Total plan assets

2020

2019

33
150
348
531

49
282
203
534

Allocation of plan assets covers 99.5% of total 
defined benefit plan assets. On December 31, 
2020, 76% of the plan assets were invested 
in quoted instruments (Dec 31, 2019: 95%), 
the change resulting from the buy-in insurance 
solution in the UK. Debt instruments include 

mostly investment grade government and 
corporate bonds. 

Asset-liability matching strategies

The majority of defined benefit assets are in 
the UK. The UK scheme’s benchmark asset 
allocation is 20%/80% return-seeking/liability 
matching. This strategy reflects the scheme’s 
liability profile and the trustees’ and company’s 
attitude to risk. The trustee monitors the 
investment objectives and asset allocation 
policy on a regular basis.

Significant actuarial assumptions

Germany

The UK

Other countries

Discount rate, %

Future salary
increase, %
Inflation rate, %

Future benefit
increase, %
Medical cost trend
rate, %
Life expectancy

0 .72
2020
0.90
2019
–
2020
–
2019
–
2020
–
2019
1 .70
2020
1.70
2019
–
2020
2019
–
2020 RT 2018 G

2019

RT 2018 G

1 .25
2.00
–
–
2 .80
3.00
2 .75
2.85
–
–
96% SAPS All Pensioner 
Amounts tables with CMI 
Core Projection Model 
–2019
96% SAPS All Pensioner 
Amounts tables with CMI 
Core Projection Model 
–2016

2 .41
2.72
1 .30
1.57
–
–
–
–
4 .70
4.70–5.20
Standard mortality tables

Standard mortality tables

The significant actuarial assumptions are 
presented separately for the significant 
countries, and for other countries a weighted 
average of the assumptions is presented. 

59 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statementsSensitivity analysis of significant actuarial assumptions

Reasonably possible changes at the reporting date to one of the weighted principal assumptions, 
while holding all other assumptions constant, would have affected the defined benefit obligation 
as shown below:

Germany
2020
Discount rate
Future benefit increase
Life expectancy

2019
Discount rate
Future benefit increase
Life expectancy

The UK
2020
Discount rate
Future benefit increase
Life expectancy

2019
Discount rate
Future benefit increase
Life expectancy

Other countries
2020
Discount rate
Medical cost trend rate
Future salary increase
Life expectancy

2019
Discount rate
Medical cost trend rate
Future salary increase
Life expectancy

Change in assumption

Increase in assumption

Decrease in assumption

0.5%
0.5%
1 year

0.5%
0.5%
1 year

Decrease by 6%
Increase by 3%
Increase by 3%

Decrease by 6%
Increase by 3%
Increase by 3%

Increase by 7%
Decrease by 3%

Increase by 7%
Decrease by 3%

Change in assumption

Increase in assumption

Decrease in assumption

0.5%
0.5%
1 year

0.5%
0.5%
1 year

Decrease by 9%
Increase by 6%
Increase by 3%

Decrease by 9%
Increase by 7%
Increase by 3%

Increase by 10%
Decrease by 6%

Increase by 11%
Decrease by 6%

Change in assumption

Increase in assumption

Decrease in assumption

0.5%
0.5%
0.5%
1 year

0.5%
0.5%
0.5%
1 year

Decrease by 4%
Increase by 1%
Increase by 3%
Increase by 7%

Decrease by 4%
Increase by 1%
Increase by 3%
Increase by 7%

Increase by 4%
Decrease by 1%
Decrease by 4%

Increase by 4%
Decrease by 1%
Decrease by 4%

Other long-term employee benefits

Other long-term employee benefits mainly 
relate to early retirement provisions in 
Germany and long-service remunerations in 
Finland. Under the German early retirement 
agreements, employees work additional time 
prior to retirement, which is subsequently 
paid for in instalments after retirement. In 
Finland, the employees are entitled to receive 
a one-time indemnity every five years after 20 
years of service. 

The other long-term employee benefit liabilities 
recognized in the consolidated statement 
of financial position on December 31, 2020 
were EUR 16 million (Dec 31, 2019: EUR 18 
million).

Multi-employer defined benefit plans

ITP pension plans operated by Alecta in 
Sweden and plans operated by Stichting 
Bedrijfspensioenfonds voor de metaalindustrie 
in the Netherlands are multi-employer defined 
benefit pension plans. However, it has not 
been possible to get sufficient information 
for the calculation of obligations and assets 
by employer from the plan operators, and 
therefore these plans have been accounted for 
as defined contribution plans in the consoli-
dated financial statements. 

60 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statements26 . Provisions

€ million

Provisions on Jan 1, 2020
Increases in provisions
Utilized during the financial year
Unused amounts reversed
Provisions on Dec 31, 2020

€ million

Non-current provisions
Current provisions

Restructuring 
provisions

Environmental 
provisions

Other 
provisions

56
50
–43
–1
62

48
3
–2
–1
48

5
2
–1
–1
5

2020

84
31
115

Total

110
54
–45
–4
115

2019

85
25
110

Restructuring provisions

Environmental provisions

Restructuring provisions relate mainly to 
the restructuring and employee negotiation 
processes carried out in selected countries in 
2020 to create cost savings by restructuring 
and reducing total employee headcount by 
up to approximately 1,000 (10% of the Group 
total) mostly by the end of 2021. The fixed 
cost reductions are needed as the market 
situation in Europe is challenging and import 
pressure remains high, and the COVID-19 
pandemic impacts the global economy. These 
provision are expected to result in cash 
outflows predominantly in 2021.

Restructuring include also some provisions 
related to the 2019 measures in Germany 
targeting to improve competitiveness through 
cost reductions. The cash outflows related to 
these provisions took mainly place in 2020 
with some cash outflows still expected in 2021.

Majority of the environmental provisions are 
for closing costs of production facilities and 
landfill areas, removal of problem waste and 
landscaping in facilities in Finland, the UK, and 
Germany. The outflow of economic benefits 
related to environmental provisions is expected 
to take place mainly over a period of more 
than 10 years. Due to the nature of these 
provisions, there are uncertainties regarding 
both the amount and the timing of the outflow 
of economic benefits. 

Other provisions

Other provisions comprise for example 
provisions for product and other claims and are 
mainly current in nature. 

Provisions are based on management’s best 
estimates at the end of the reporting period.

27 . Debt

€ million

Non-current
Bonds
Convertible bonds
Loans from financial institutions
Pension loans
Lease liabilities
Other loans

Current

Convertible bonds
Loans from financial institutions
Pension loans
Lease liabilities
Commercial paper

Net debt

Non-current and current debt
Cash and cash equivalents
Net debt

2020

2019

249
108
414
199
174
8
1,153

–
2
–
18
231
251

249
–
445
183
176
–
1,053

248
8
40
30
101
427

1,404
–376
1,028

1,480
–325
1,155

The bond maturing in 2024 as well as credit facilities and loans from financial institutions include 
financial covenants, which are described in note 19.

61 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statementsBonds

€ million

Interest rate, %

2018 fixed rate bond maturing on June 18, 2024

4.125

Convertible bonds

Outstanding amount

2020

250

Outstanding amount

€ million

2015 fixed rate bond matured on Feb 26, 2020
2020 fixed rate bond maturing on July 9, 2025

Interest rate, %

3.250
5.000

2020
–
125

The convertible bonds maturing in July 
2025 can be converted into maximum of 
38,191,261 ordinary shares in Outokumpu 
representing 9.3% of the outstanding shares at 
year end. The conversion period commenced 
on August 19, 2020 and will end on June 25, 
2025. The current conversion price is set at 
EUR 3.273 per ordinary shares. The conversion 
price is subject to adjustments for any dividend 
in cash or in kind as well as customary 
anti-dilution adjustments, pursuant to the 
terms and conditions of the bonds. 

2019

250

2019

250
–

Changes in non-current and current debt

2020 
€ million

On Jan 1
Financing cash flows 
Transfer to current debt
Other non-cash movements
On Dec 31

Non-current debt

Current portion of 
non-current debt

Non-current lease 
liabilities

Current portion of 
lease liabilities

Current debt

877
117
–0
–14
979

295
–296
0
2
0

176
–
–21
19
174

30
–33
21
–
18

103
130
–
–0
232

2019 
€ million

Non-current debt

Current portion of 
non-current debt

Non-current lease 
liabilities

Current portion of 
lease liabilities

Current debt

On Jan 1, before IFRS 16 transition
IFRS 16 transition impact
Financing cash flows 
Transfer to current debt
Other non-cash movements
On Dec 31

715
–
452
–290
–1
877

10
–
–13
290
9
295

82
101
–
–32
24
176

3
29
–34
32
–
30

499
–
–396
–
–
103

Total

1,480
–82
0
6
1,404

Total

1,309
131
9
0
32
1,480

Regarding cash and cash equivalents, the reconciliation of cash effective and non-cash movements is presented in the consolidated statement of 
cash flows.

62 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statements28 . Trade and other payables

€ million

Non-current

VAT payable
Accruals

Current

Trade payables
Accrued employee-related expenses 
Accrued interest expenses
VAT payable
Withholding tax and social security liabilities 
Payables related to factoring programs
Advance payments received
Other accruals
Other payables

2020

2019

18
27
45

1,225
73
11
86
21
8
7
55
14
1,500

–
29
29

1,265
65
9
23
20
11
11
47
24
1,475

Non-current and current VAT payables on 
December 31, 2020 include the deferred VAT 
payments in Finland in 2020 of EUR 61 million. 

On December 31, 2020, accrued volume 
discounts related to contracts with customers 
amounted to EUR 34 million (Dec 31, 2019: 
EUR 37 million). 

Customer contract liabilities related to 
unperformed transportation service amounted 
to EUR 1 million on December 31, 2020 (Dec 
31, 2019: EUR 1 million). These liabilities 
and advances received are expected to be 
recognized as revenue during the first quarter 
of 2021. 

29 . Commitments and contingent liabilities

€ million

Mortgages and pledges on Dec 31

Mortgages 
Other pledges 

Guarantees on Dec 31

On behalf of subsidiaries for commercial and other commitments
On behalf of associated companies for financing

Other commitments on Dec 31

2020

2019

3,203
13

3,192
13

Mortgages relate mainly to securing the 
Group’s financing. A major part of Outokumpu’s 
borrowings are secured by mortgage over the 
real property of the Group’s main production 
plants. Mortgages include also the business 
mortgage note to secure a loan for DeepMine 
project.

Outokumpu has provided a security, including 
a pledge of shares of a subsidiary company, 
related to AvestaPolarit pension scheme in the 
UK.

Other pledges include Outokumpu’s shares in 
Manga LNG Oy to secure certain liabilities of 
Manga LNG Oy. Outokumpu’s total liability at 
the end of 2020 amounted to EUR 24 million 
(Dec 31, 2019: EUR 29 million), and the part 
exceeding the share pledge and guarantee is 
presented under other commitments. 

Outokumpu Oyj is, in relation to its share-
holding in Etelä-Pohjanmaan Voima Oy, liable 
for the costs, commitments and liabilities 
relating to electricity provided by Tornion Voima 
Oy. Outokumpu’s liability for the net debt of 
Tornion Voima Oy in year-end 2020 amounted 
to EUR 0 million (Dec 31, 2019: EUR 1 
million). These liabilities are reported under 
other commitments.

Outokumpu has a long-term energy supply 
contract that includes a minimum purchase 
quantity. There is uncertainty whether the 
company will be able to utilize this minimum 
purchase quantity in full by the end of 2028 
or whether there will be additional cost to the 
company from this contract. 

to be on average around EUR 15–20 million 
in the coming years, and approximately half of 
the investment is expected to be paid only at 
the end of the construction phase.

Group’s other off-balance sheet investment 
commitments totaled EUR 51 million on 
December 31, 2020 (Dec 31, 2019: EUR 68 
million).

30 . Disputes and litigations

Claim in Spain related to the 
divested copper companies

Outokumpu divested all of its copper business 
in 2003–2008. One of the divested companies 
domiciled in Spain later faced bankruptcy. 
The administrator of the bankruptcy estate 
filed a claim against Outokumpu Oyj and two 
other non-Outokumpu companies for recovery 
of payments made by the bankrupt Spanish 
company in connection with the divestment. 
The court of first instance in Spain accepted 
the claim of EUR 20 million brought against 
Outokumpu and the two other companies. 
Outokumpu and the two other companies 
appealed the court’s decision and in March 
2018 the Court of Appeal ruled in favor of 
Outokumpu. In May 2018, the administrator of 
the bankruptcy estate filed an appeal before 
the Spanish Supreme Court, where the case is 
pending without progress during 2019 or 2020.

29
2

10

Investment commitments

27
4

14

Outokumpu’s share of the Fennovoima 
investment is about EUR 250 million of 
which EUR 92 million has been paid by the 
end of the reporting period. Annual capital 
expenditure related to the project is expected 

63 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statements31 . Related party transactions
Outokumpu’s related parties include the 
key management of the company and their 
close family members, associated companies, 
subsidiaries and Solidium Oy. The transactions 
with related parties are presented in the tables 
below. Key management includes Leadership 
Team members and members of the Board of 
Directors. The principal associated companies 
are listed in note 15 and subsidiaries are 
presented in note 32.

Solidium Oy, a limited company fully owned by 
the State of Finland, owned 21.7% of Outo-
kumpu on December 31, 2020. Solidium’s 
mission is to strengthen and stabilize Finnish 
ownership in nationally important companies 
and increase the value of its holdings in the 
long run.

Transactions with related partied are carried 
out at arms-length principles. 

Transactions and balances 
with related companies

€ million
Sales and other operating 
income
Purchases 
Dividend income

Trade and other receivables
Trade and other payables

2020

2019

69
–37
–

21
3

89
–7
10

29
3

Employee benefits for the 
key management 

€ thousand

Short-term employee benefits
Termination benefits
Post-employment benefits 1)
Share-based payments
Remuneration to the Board of 
Directors

2020

3,889
1,489
367
205

658
6,608

2019

5,320
–
1,574
235

706
7,834

1) Includes only supplementary pensions.

Employee benefits for the CEO in 2020 include 
Heikki Malinen as of May 16, 2020 and 
Roeland Baan until May 15, 2020. 

CEO Malinen has the right to retire at the age 
of 65 and he participates in the Finnish TyEL 
pension system and there are no supplemen-
tary pension plans in place. Former CEO Baan 
had a defined contribution pension plan in 
place with an annual insurance premium of 
25% of his annual earnings, excluding share 
rewards.

Outokumpu has not had specifically appointed 
Deputy to the CEO since February, 2019. In 
January–February 2019, the employee benefits 
to the Deputy to the CEO were EUR 117 
thousand.

More information on key management’s 
employee benefits can be found in the 
Remuneration report.

Remuneration to Board of Directors

€ thousand

Chairman Kari Jordan
Vice Chairman Eeva Sipilä, as of May 28, 2020, member until May 27, 2020
Vice Chairman Heikki Malinen, until April 30, 2020
Vice Chairman Olli Vaartimo, until March 27, 2019
Member Kati ter Horst
Member Vesa-Pekka Takala, as of March 27, 2019
Member Pierre Vareille
Member Julia Woodhouse, as of March 27, 2019

2020

2019

181
108
7
–
88
88
94
93
658

173
99
103
3
80
77
90
81
706

Employee benefits for the key management 
include the benefits to each Leadership Team 
or Board of Directors member, which are 
associated with these management positions. 
Benefits that are associated with positions 
held within Outokumpu before or after such 
management position are not included in the 
presented amounts.

Employee benefits for the CEO 

€ thousand
Salaries and other short-term 
benefits
Bonuses
Post-employment benefits
Share-based payments

2020

2019

989
–
281
4
1,274

1,074
276
444
372
2,167

64 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statements32 . Subsidiaries on December 31, 2020

Country

Group
holding, %

*)

*)

Europe
Outokumpu AS
Outokumpu B.V.
Outokumpu Distribution France S.A.S.
Outokumpu Distribution Hungary Kft.
Outokumpu Distribution Polska Sp. z o.o.
Outokumpu Europe Oy
Outokumpu Ges.m.b.H. 
Outokumpu India Private Limited
Outokumpu K.K.
Outokumpu Management (Shanghai) Co., Ltd
Outokumpu Middle East FZCO
Outokumpu Nirosta GmbH
Outokumpu N.V.
Outokumpu Prefab AB
Outokumpu Press Plate AB
Outokumpu PSC Benelux B.V.
Outokumpu PSC Finland Oy
Outokumpu PSC Germany GmbH
Outokumpu (Pty) Ltd
Outokumpu S.A.
Outokumpu (S.E.A.) Pte. Ltd
Outokumpu Shipping Oy
Outokumpu S.p.A.
Outokumpu Stainless AB
Outokumpu Stainless B.V.
Outokumpu Stainless Oy
Outokumpu Stainless Pty. Ltd
Outokumpu Stainless Steel (China) Co. Ltd
Outokumpu Tornio Infrastructure Oy

Norway
The Netherlands
France
Hungary
Poland
Finland
Austria
India
Japan
China
United Arab Emirates
Germany
Belgium
Sweden
Sweden
The Netherlands
Finland
Germany
South Africa
Spain
Singapore
Finland
Italy
Sweden
The Netherlands
Finland
Australia
China
Finland

100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100

Americas
Outokumpu Brasil Comercio de Metais Ltda
Outokumpu Fortinox S.A.
Outokumpu Mexinox Distribution S.A. de C.V.
Outokumpu Mexinox S.A. de C.V.
Outokumpu Stainless USA, LLC
ThyssenKrupp Mexinox CreateIT, S.A. de C.V.

Long Products
Fagersta Stainless AB
Outokumpu Stainless Bar, LLC
Outokumpu Stainless Ltd

Ferrochrome
Outokumpu Chrome Oy

Other operations
Outokumpu Americas, Inc.
Outokumpu Distribution Benelux B.V.
Outokumpu Holding Germany GmbH
Outokumpu Holding Italia S.p.A.
Outokumpu Holding Nederland B.V.
Outokumpu Mining Oy
Outokumpu Stainless Holding GmbH
Outokumpu Stainless Holdings Ltd
Outokumpu Stainless UAB
Québec Inc.
Viscaria AB
Visenta Försäkrings AB

*)

*)

*)

*)

Country

Brazil
Argentina
Mexico
Mexico
The US
Mexico

Sweden
The US
The UK

Finland

The US
The Netherlands
Germany
Italy
The Netherlands
Finland
Germany
The UK
Lithuania
Canada
Sweden
Sweden

Group
holding, %

100
100
100
100
100
100

100
100
100

100

100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100

In addition Outokumpu has branch offices in South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, The UK 
and Vietnam.

This list does not include all holding companies or all dormant companies. 

The Group holding corresponds to the Group’s share of voting rights.

*) Shares and stock held by the parent company

65 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statements 
 
Parent company 
financial statements

Income statement of the parent company

€ million

Sales

Cost of sales

Gross margin

Other operating income
Selling and marketing expenses
Administrative expenses
Other operating expenses

EBIT

Financial income and expenses

Result before appropriations and taxes

Appropriations

Group contribution
Change in depreciation difference

Income taxes

Result for the financial year

2020

2019

664

–565

99

0
–10
–110
–8

–29

–58

–87

111
–0

–

24

652

–555

97

17
–17
–115
–0

–19

16

–3

53
–0

–0

51

According to the Finnish accounting standards (FAS), the parent company financial statements 
are presented in addition to Group financial statements. The parent company’s financial 
statements have been prepared in accordance with Finnish accounting standards. The parent 
company Outokumpu Oyj’s income statement and balance sheet items are mainly internal and are 
eliminated on the group level. 

66 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsParent company financial statementsBalance sheet of the parent company

€ million

ASSETS

Non-current assets

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Financial assets

Shares in Group companies
Loan receivables from Group companies
Shares in associated companies
Other shares and holdings
Other financial assets

Total non-current assets

Current assets

Current receivables
Loans receivable
Trade receivables
Prepaid expenses and accrued income
Other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Total current assets

TOTAL ASSETS

2020

2019

€ million

2020

2019

130

2

3,713
771
15
60
6
4,565

120

9

3,821
254
17
80
5
4,176

4,698

4,305

221
67
23
160
470

332

801

843
53
39
91
1,026

272

1,298

5,500

5,603

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

Shareholders’ equity
Share capital
Premium fund
Invested unrestricted equity reserve
Retained earnings
Result for the financial year

Untaxed reserves

Accumulated depreciation difference

Liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Bonds
Convertible bonds
Loans from financial institutions
Pension loans
Other non-current loans

Current liabilities

Convertible bonds
Loans from financial institutions
Pension loans
Group bank account liabilities
Other current loans
Trade payables
Accrued expenses and prepaid income
Other current liabilities

Total liabilities

TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

311
720
2,123
164
24
3,343

311
720
2,123
113
51
3,319

1

1

250
125
330
143
1
849

–
–
–
787
263
177
15
65
1,307

250
–
405
103
0
758

250
6
40
722
244
208
13
42
1,525

2,156

2,283

5,500

5,603

67 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsParent company financial statementsCash flow statement of the parent company

€ million

2020

2019

€ million

2020

2019

Cash flow from operating activities

Result for the financial year
Adjustments for

Depreciation and amortization
Impairments
Gain/loss on sale of intangible assets, and property, plant and equipment
Interest income
Interest expense
Change in provisions
Exchange gains and losses
Group contributions
Other non-cash adjustments

Change in working capital 

Change in trade and other receivables
Change in trade and other payables

Interest received
Interest paid
Income taxes paid

Net cash from operating activities

Cash flow from investing activities
Investments in subsidiaries and other shares and holdings
Purchases of intangible assets
Proceeds from disposal of subsidiaries and other financial assets
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
Proceeds from sale of intangible assets
Change in other long-term receivables

Net cash from investing activities

Cash flow before financing activities

Cash flow from financing activities
Dividends paid
Borrowings of non-current debt
Repayments of non-current debt
Change in current debt
Cash flow from group contribution
Other financing cash flow

Net cash from financing activities
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
Net change in cash and cash equivalents in the balance sheet

24

12
33
–0
–38
46
1
2
–111
8
–47

0
–27
–27

39
–45
–
–6

–55

51

5
0
–5
–68
36
0
3
–53
–1
–83

–6
47
41

75
–34
–0
41

51

–13
–19
108
–
2
21

99

44

–
444
–664
85
53
97

16
60
60

–274
–30
239
1
11
361

308

358

–62
473
–76
–806
185
176

–109
249
249

68 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsParent company financial statementsStatement of changes in equity of the parent company

€ million

Equity on Jan 1, 2019
Result for the financial year
Dividends paid
Equity on Dec 31, 2019
Result for the financial year
Dividends paid
Equity on Dec 31, 2020

Share capital

Premium fund

Invested 
unrestricted equity 
reserve

Retained earnings

Total equity

€ million

Distributable funds on Dec 31

311
–
–
311
–
–
311

720
–
–
720
–
–
720

2,123
–
–
2,123
–
–
2,123

175
51
–62
164
24
–
188

3,330
51
–62
3,319
24
–
3,343

Retained earnings
Result for the financial year
Invested unrestricted equity reserve
Distributable funds on Dec 31

2020

164
24
2,123
2,312

2019

113
51
2,123
2,287

Commitments and contingent liabilities of the parent company

€ million

Other pledges on Dec 31

2020

13

2019

13

A major part of Outokumpu’s borrowings are secured by security 
to the real property of selected subsidiaries.

Guarantees on Dec 31
On behalf of subsidiaries

For financing
For commercial guarantees
For other commitments

On behalf of associated companies

For financing

Other commitments on Dec 31

327
0
28

2

10

350
3
26

4

14

Other pledges include Outokumpu’s shares in Manga LNG Oy to 
secure certain liabilities of Manga LNG Oy. Outokumpu’s total 
liability at the end of 2020 amounts to EUR 24 million (Dec 31, 
2019: EUR 29 million), and the part exceeding the share pledge 
and guarantee is presented under other commitments. 

Outokumpu Oyj is, in relation to its shareholding in Etelä- 
Pohjanmaan Voima Oy, liable for the costs, commitments and 
liabilities relating to electricity provided by Tornion Voima Oy. 
Outokumpu Oyj’s liability for the net debt of Tornion Voima 
Oy at the year-end 2020 amounted to EUR 0 million (Dec 31, 
2019: EUR 1 million). These liabilities are reported under other 
commitments.

Outokumpu’s share of the Fennovoima investment is about EUR 
250 million of which EUR 92 million has been paid by the end 
of the reporting period. Annual capital expenditure related to the 
project is expected to be on average around EUR 15–20 million 
in the coming years, and approximately half of the investment is 
expected to be paid only at the end of the construction phase. 

In 2020, Outokumpu Oyj recognized an impairment of EUR 
33 million to its shareholding in Voimaosakeyhtiö SF providing 
ownership to Fennovoima Oy. In the income statement, the 
impairment is recognized in financial income and expenses. The 
impairment did not impact Outokumpu Group’s consolidated 
financial statements under IFRS where the shareholding is 
valued at fair value.

69 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Financial statementsParent company financial statementsAuditor’s Report (Translation of the Finnish Original)

To the Annual General Meeting of  
Outokumpu Oyj
Report on the Audit of 
the Financial Statements 
Opinion
In our opinion 

•  the consolidated financial statements give 
a true and fair view of the group’s financial 
position and financial performance and 
cash flows in accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as 
adopted by the EU

•  the financial statements give a true and 

fair view of the parent company’s financial 
performance and financial position in 
accordance with the laws and regulations 
governing the preparation of the financial 
statements in Finland and comply with 
statutory requirements.

Our opinion is consistent with the additional 
report to the Audit Committee.

What we have audited

We have audited the financial statements 
of Outokumpu Oyj (business identity code 
0215254-2) for the year ended 31 December 
2020. The financial statements comprise:

•  the consolidated statement of income, 

consolidated statement of comprehensive 
income, consolidated statement of financial 
position, consolidated statement of cash 
flows, consolidated statement of changes 
in equity and notes to the consolidated 
financial statements, including accounting 

principles for the consolidated financial 
statements

•  the parent company’s income statement, 
balance sheet, cash flow statement and 
notes to the parent company financial 
statements.

Basis for Opinion 
We conducted our audit in accordance with 
good auditing practice in Finland. Our responsi-
bilities under good auditing practice are further 
described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities for 
the Audit of the Financial Statements section 
of our report.

We believe that the audit evidence we have 
obtained is sufficient and appropriate to 
provide a basis for our opinion. 

Independence

We are independent of the parent company 
and of the group companies in accordance with 
the ethical requirements that are applicable in 
Finland and are relevant to our audit, and we 
have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities 
in accordance with these requirements.

To the best of our knowledge and belief, the 
non-audit services that we have provided to the 
parent company and to the group companies 
are in accordance with the applicable law 
and regulations in Finland and we have not 
provided non-audit services that are prohibited 
under Article 5(1) of Regulation (EU) No 
537/2014. The non-audit services that we 
have provided are disclosed in note 6 to the 
Financial Statements.

Our Audit Approach

Overview

•  Overall group materiality: € 35 million (2019: € 38 million)

Materiality

•  The audit scope includes all significant companies, covering the vast 

majority of revenues, assets and liabilities.

Audit Scope

•  Valuation of goodwill

Key Audit 
Matters

•  Valuation of Property, Plant and Equipment

•  Valuation of inventories

•  System environment and internal controls

•  Valuation of subsidiary shares in the parent company’s financial 

statements

As part of designing our audit, we determined 
materiality and assessed the risks of material 
misstatement in the financial statements. In 
particular, we considered where management 
made subjective judgements; for example, in 
respect of significant accounting estimates 
that involved making assumptions and 
considering future events that are inherently 
uncertain.

Materiality

The scope of our audit was influenced by our 
application of materiality. An audit is designed 
to obtain reasonable assurance whether the 
financial statements are free from material 
misstatement. Misstatements may arise 
due to fraud or error. They are considered 
material if individually or in aggregate, they 
could reasonably be expected to influence 

the economic decisions of users taken on the 
basis of the financial statements.

Based on our professional judgement, we 
determined certain quantitative thresholds 
for materiality, including the overall group 
materiality for the consolidated financial 
statements as set out in the table below. 
These, together with qualitative considerations, 
helped us to determine the scope of our audit 
and the nature, timing and extent of our audit 
procedures and to evaluate the effect of 
misstatements on the financial statements as 
a whole.

70 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Auditor’s ReportOverall group materiality

€ 35 million (2019: € 38 million)

How we determined it

0.6% of net sales 2020

Rationale for the materiality 
benchmark applied

We chose net sales as the benchmark because, in our view, 
it is a stable and an important benchmark in the group’s 
current situation, against which the performance of the 
group is measured by users of the financial statements. As 
the group’s profitability has not been stable, net sales is 
also a generally accepted benchmark. We chose 0.6% which 
is within the range of acceptable quantitative materiality 
thresholds in auditing standards.

As in all of our audits, we also addressed 
the risk of management override of internal 
controls, including among other matters 
consideration of whether there was evidence 
of bias that represented a risk of material 
misstatement due to fraud.

How we tailored our group audit scope

We tailored the scope of our audit, taking 
into account the structure of the Outokumpu 
group, the accounting processes and controls, 
and the industry in which the group operates. 
The group audit scope was focused on the 
manufacturing companies in Finland, Sweden, 
Germany, USA, Mexico, the UK and Italy. We 
obtained, through our audit procedures at 
the aforementioned companies, combined 
with additional procedures at the group level, 
sufficient and appropriate evidence regarding 
the financial information of the group as a 
whole to provide a basis for our opinion on the 
consolidated financial statements.

Key Audit Matters 
Key audit matters are those matters that, in 
our professional judgment, were of most signif-
icance in our audit of the financial statements 
of the current period. These matters were 
addressed in the context of our audit of the 
financial statements as a whole, and in forming 
our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a 
separate opinion on these matters.

Key audit matter in the 
audit of the group

How our audit addressed 
the key audit matter

Valuation of goodwill

Refer to notes 2, 11 and 14 in the 
consolidated financial statements. 

As at 31 December 2020 the group’s goodwill 
balance amounted to € 466 million. 

Goodwill is tested at least annually, irrespec-
tive of whether there is any indication of 
impairment. For goodwill testing purposes, the 
recoverable amount is based on value in use 
which is determined by reference to discounted 
future net cash flows expected to be generated 
by the asset. Key assumptions used in the 
value-in-use calculations are discount rate, 
growth rate of terminal value, average global 
growth in consumption of stainless steel and 
base price development. 

Valuation of goodwill is a key audit matter due 
to the size of the goodwill balance and the high 
level of management judgement involved in the 
estimation process.

Our audit of goodwill valuation focused on 
management’s judgement and estimates used. 
We assessed the appropriateness of these 
through the following procedures:

•  We tested the methodology applied in the 

value in use calculation by comparing it to the 
requirements of IAS 36, Impairment of Assets, 
and we tested the mathematical accuracy of 
the calculations. 

•  We evaluated the process by which the future 
cash flow forecasts were drawn up, including 
comparing them to medium term strategic 
plans and forecasts approved by the Board 
and testing the key underlying assumptions.

•  We considered whether the sensitivity analysis 
performed by management around key drivers 
of the cash flow forecast was appropriate by 
considering the likelihood of the movements of 
these key assumptions.

•  We compared the current year actual results to 
those included as estimates in the prior year 
impairment model to corroborate the reliability 
of management’s estimates.

•  The discount rates applied within the model 
were assessed by PwC business valuation 
specialist, including comparison to economic 
and industry forecasts as appropriate.

We also considered the appropriateness of the 
related disclosures provided in note 14 in the 
group financial statements. 

71 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Auditor’s ReportAuditor’s reportKey audit matter in the 
audit of the group

Valuation of Property, Plant 
and Equipment 

Refer to notes 2 and 12 in the consolidated 
financial statements.

As at 31 December 2020 the group’s Property, 
Plant and Equipment (PPE) amounted to € 
2,631 million, which is 45% of the total assets 
and 112% of the total equity.

The group’s business is very capital intensive 
and there is a risk that the carrying value of the 
Property, Plant and Equipment is overstated. 
The carrying value of Property, Plant and 
Equipment is tested as part of the group 
impairment testing based on the discounted 
cash flow model.

Valuation of Property, Plant and Equipment is a 
key audit matter due to the size of the balance 
and the high level of management judgement 
involved in the estimation process.

How our audit addressed 
the key audit matter

We assessed the appropriateness of the group’s 
method and management’s judgement and 
estimates in the impairment calculations for 
Property, Plant and Equipment. 

Our audit work also included testing the 
operating effectiveness of key controls in 
place to ensure the existence and appropriate 
valuation of Property, Plant and Equipment. Such 
controls include the authorization of additions, 
disposals and scrapings, the evaluation of the 
useful economic lives and the reconciliation of 
fixed assets registers to the accounting records.

In addition, we performed substantive audit 
procedures including testing of assets acquired 
in the year and depreciation of the fixed assets 
mainly through analytical audit procedures.

Key audit matter in the 
audit of the group

Valuation of Inventories

Refer to notes 2 and 21 in the consolidated 
financial statements.

How our audit addressed 
the key audit matter

Our audit work included testing management’s 
key controls in place to ensure proper valuation 
and existence of inventories. 

As at 31 December 2020 the group’s invento-
ries amounted to € 1,177 million.

In addition, our audit procedures included, 
among other things, the following:

•  We performed tests over the prices of raw 
materials and verified items in the product 
costing of work in progress.

•  We performed tests over the NRV calculations 

and the assumptions used.

•  We assessed the adequacy of the obso-

lescence provision and the management 
judgement used.

•  We participated in the physical inventory 
counting and performed independent test 
counts to validate the existence of assets and 
accuracy of the counting performed.

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and 
net realizable value (NRV). Net realizable value 
is the estimated selling price in the ordinary 
course of business, less the estimated costs of 
completion and the estimated costs necessary 
to make the sale. The most important 
commodity price risk for Outokumpu is caused 
by fluctuation in nickel and other alloy prices. 
The alloy surcharge clause as well as daily 
fixed pricing of stainless steel can reduce the 
risk arising from the time difference between 
raw material purchase and product delivery. 
However, the risk is significant, because the 
delivery cycle in production is longer than the 
alloy surcharge mechanism expects and the 
daily fixed pricing can also deviate from this 
cycle depending on the timing of the delivery. 
As the prices for all products to be sold in 
the future are not known, a significant part of 
the future prices are estimated according to 
management’s best knowledge in net realizable 
value (NRV) calculations. Due to fluctuation in 
nickel and other alloy prices, the realized prices 
can deviate significantly from what has been 
used in NRV calculations on the closing date.

Due to the high level of management judgment 
and the significant carrying amounts and risks 
relating to valuation, this is one of the key audit 
matters.

72 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Auditor’s ReportAuditor’s reportKey audit matter in the 
audit of the group

System environment and 
internal controls

The group has a fragmented system environ-
ment. The fragmented system environment 
introduces risks related to system access, 
change management and data transfer 
between the different systems, and we have 
accordingly designated this as a key audit 
matter.

How our audit addressed 
the key audit matter

Key audit matter in the audit 
of the parent company

How our audit addressed 
the key audit matter

Our response to the risks related to the 
fragmented system environment included both 
testing of IT controls and tests of details.

We tested the group’s controls around access 
and change management related to key IT 
systems. We also tested the group’s controls 
around system interfaces, and the transfer of 
data between systems.

We noted certain weaknesses related to access 
controls to certain key systems. We reported 
these control weaknesses to management and 
performed tests of details to reduce the related 
risks of material misstatement to an acceptably 
low level.

Valuation of subsidiary shares in the 
parent company’s financial statements

As at 31 December 2020 the value of 
Outokumpu Oyj’s subsidiary shares amounted 
to € 3,712 million in the parent company’s 
financial statements prepared in accordance 
with Finnish GAAP.

The valuation of subsidiary shares is tested as 
part of the group impairment testing based on 
the discounted cash flow model. 

The valuation of subsidiary shares is a key audit 
matter due to the significant carrying amounts 
involved and the high level of management 
judgement involved.

We assessed the appropriateness of the method 
and management’s judgement and estimates 
in the calculations through the following 
procedures:

•  We evaluated the process by which the future 
cash flow forecasts were drawn up, including 
comparing them to medium term strategic 
plans and forecasts approved by the Board 
and testing the key underlying assumptions.

•  We considered whether the sensitivity analysis 
performed by management around key drivers 
of the cash flow forecast was appropriate by 
considering the likelihood of the movements of 
these key assumptions.

•  We compared the current year actual results 
included in the prior year impairment model 
to corroborate the reliability of management’s 
estimates.

•  The discount rates applied within the model 
were assessed by PwC business valuation 
specialist, including comparison to economic 
and industry forecasts as appropriate.

There are no significant risks of material misstatement referred to in Article 10(2c) of Regulation 
(EU) No 537/2014 with respect to the consolidated financial statements or the parent company 
financial statements.

73 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Auditor’s ReportAuditor’s reportResponsibilities of the 
Board of Directors and the 
Managing Director for the 
Financial Statements
The Board of Directors and the Managing 
Director are responsible for the preparation of 
consolidated financial statements that give a 
true and fair view in accordance with Interna-
tional Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as 
adopted by the EU, and of financial statements 
that give a true and fair view in accordance 
with the laws and regulations governing the 
preparation of financial statements in Finland 
and comply with statutory requirements. The 
Board of Directors and the Managing Director 
are also responsible for such internal control 
as they determine is necessary to enable the 
preparation of financial statements that are 
free from material misstatement, whether due 
to fraud or error. 

In preparing the financial statements, the 
Board of Directors and the Managing Director 
are responsible for assessing the parent 
company’s and the group’s ability to continue 
as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, 
matters relating to going concern and using 
the going concern basis of accounting. The 
financial statements are prepared using the 
going concern basis of accounting unless there 
is an intention to liquidate the parent company 
or the group or to cease operations, or there is 
no realistic alternative but to do so. 

Auditor’s Responsibilities for the 
Audit of the Financial Statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable 
assurance about whether the financial 
statements as a whole are free from material 
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, 
and to issue an auditor’s report that includes 
our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high 
level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that 
an audit conducted in accordance with good 
auditing practice will always detect a material 
misstatement when it exists. Misstatements 
can arise from fraud or error and are consid-
ered material if, individually or in the aggregate, 
they could reasonably be expected to influence 
the economic decisions of users taken on the 
basis of these financial statements.

As part of an audit in accordance with good 
auditing practice, we exercise professional 
judgment and maintain professional skepticism 
throughout the audit. We also:

•  Identify and assess the risks of material 

misstatement of the financial statements, 
whether due to fraud or error, design and 
perform audit procedures responsive to 
those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is 
sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis 
for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a 
material misstatement resulting from fraud 
is higher than for one resulting from error, 
as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, 
intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or 
the override of internal control.

•  Obtain an understanding of internal control 
relevant to the audit in order to design 
audit procedures that are appropriate in the 
circumstances, but not for the purpose of 
expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of 
the parent company’s or the group’s internal 
control. 

•  Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting 
policies used and the reasonableness of 
accounting estimates and related disclosures 
made by management.

•  Conclude on the appropriateness of the 
Board of Directors’ and the Managing 
Director’s use of the going concern basis of 
accounting and based on the audit evidence 
obtained, whether a material uncertainty 
exists related to events or conditions that 
may cast significant doubt on the parent 
company’s or the group’s ability to continue 
as a going concern. If we conclude that a 
material uncertainty exists, we are required 
to draw attention in our auditor’s report 
to the related disclosures in the financial 
statements or, if such disclosures are 
inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our 
conclusions are based on the audit evidence 
obtained up to the date of our auditor’s 
report. However, future events or conditions 
may cause the parent company or the group 
to cease to continue as a going concern.

•  Evaluate the overall presentation, structure 
and content of the financial statements, 
including the disclosures, and whether the 
financial statements represent the underlying 
transactions and events so that the financial 
statements give a true and fair view.

•  Obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence 

regarding the financial information of 
the entities or business activities within 
the group to express an opinion on the 
consolidated financial statements. We are 
responsible for the direction, supervision and 
performance of the group audit. We remain 
solely responsible for our audit opinion.

We communicate with those charged with 
governance regarding, among other matters, 
the planned scope and timing of the audit 
and significant audit findings, including any 

significant deficiencies in internal control that 
we identify during our audit.

We also provide those charged with governance 
with a statement that we have complied 
with relevant ethical requirements regarding 
independence, and to communicate with 
them all relationships and other matters that 
may reasonably be thought to bear on our 
independence, and where applicable, related 
safeguards.

From the matters communicated with those 
charged with governance, we determine those 
matters that were of most significance in the 
audit of the financial statements of the current 
period and are therefore the key audit matters. 
We describe these matters in our auditor’s 
report unless law or regulation precludes 
public disclosure about the matter or when, in 
extremely rare circumstances, we determine 
that a matter should not be communicated in 
our report because the adverse consequences 
of doing so would reasonably be expected to 
outweigh the public interest benefits of such 
communication.

74 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Auditor’s ReportAuditor’s reportOther Reporting 
Requirements 

Appointment
We were first appointed as auditors by the 
annual general meeting on 21 March 2017. 
Our appointment represents a total period of 
uninterrupted engagement of 4 years.

Other Information 
The Board of Directors and the Managing 
Director are responsible for the other 
information. The other information comprises 
the report of the Board of Directors and the 
information included in the Annual Report, but 
does not include the financial statements and 
our auditor’s report thereon. We have obtained 
the report of the Board of Directors prior to the 
date of this auditor’s report and the Annual 
Report is expected to be made available to us 
after that date.

Our opinion on the financial statements does 
not cover the other information.

In connection with our audit of the financial 
statements, our responsibility is to read the 
other information identified above and, in doing 
so, consider whether the other information 
is materially inconsistent with the financial 
statements or our knowledge obtained in the 
audit, or otherwise appears to be materially 
misstated. With respect to the report of the 
Board of Directors, our responsibility also 
includes considering whether the report of 
the Board of Directors has been prepared 
in accordance with the applicable laws and 
regulations.

In our opinion

•  the information in the report of the Board of 
Directors is consistent with the information 
in the financial statements

•  the report of the Board of Directors has been 
prepared in accordance with the applicable 
laws and regulations.

If, based on the work we have performed on 
the other information that we obtained prior to 
the date of this auditor’s report, we conclude 
that there is a material misstatement of this 
other information, we are required to report 
that fact. We have nothing to report in this 
regard.

Other statements based 
on the decision by the 
Annual General Meeting
The proposal by the Board of Directors 
regarding the treatment of distributable funds 
is in compliance with the Limited Liability 
Companies Act. We support that the Board 
of Directors of the parent company and the 
President and CEO be discharged from liability 
for the financial period audited by us.

Helsinki 4 February 2021

PricewaterhouseCoopers Oy
Authorised Public Accountants

Janne Rajalahti
Authorised Public Accountant (KHT)

75 / 75

Outokumpu Annual report 2020 | Auditor’s ReportAuditor’s reportGovernance 
2020

This Governance section includes 
Outokumpu’s Corporate Governance 
statement, Remuneration Report 
as well as information on risks and 
shareholders.

Corporate Governance 
Statement 2020

Regulatory and structural framework

Outokumpu Oyj, the Group’s parent company, 
is a public limited liability company, listed on 
Nasdaq Helsinki and incorporated and domi-
ciled in Finland. In its corporate governance 
and management, Outokumpu Oyj complies 
with the laws and regulations applicable to a 
Finnish public company, the company’s Articles 
of Association and the Corporate Governance 
Policy approved by the company’s Board of 
Directors.

Outokumpu Oyj follows the Finnish Corporate 
Governance Code, effective as of January 1, 
2020. The Finnish Corporate Governance Code 
is issued by the Finnish Securities Market 
Association and adopted by Nasdaq Helsinki.

The governing bodies of the parent company 
Outokumpu Oyj, i.e. the General Meeting of 
Shareholders, the Board of Directors, and 
the President and Chief Executive Officer 
(CEO), have the ultimate responsibility for the 
management and operations of the Outokumpu 
Group (“the Group”). 

The latest Corporate Governance Statement 
and other updated corporate governance 
information can be found on the Group’s 
Corporate Governance website.

The General Meeting of Shareholders convenes 
at least once a year. In accordance with the 
Finnish Companies Act, the General Meeting 
of Shareholders is the highest decision-making 
body of the company. The Act provides 
that certain important decisions such as 
amendments to the Articles of Association, 
approval of the financial statements, increasing 
or decreasing share capital, decisions on 
dividends, and the election of the Board 
of Directors and the auditors, are the 
exclusive domain of the General Meeting of 
Shareholders. In addition, the Annual General 
Meeting makes advisory resolutions on the 
Remuneration Policy and the Remuneration 
Report.

In the architectural 
masterpiece Edificio 
Forum in Barcelona, 
Spain, 28,000 panels 
of Outokumpu Supra 
austenitic stainless 
steel create a finish 
that replicates the 
surface of water.

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Governance

2 / 26

Corporate Governance statementComposition and operations of the Board of Directors December 31, 2020

All Board members are independent of the company and its significant shareholders.

Board of Directors’ CVs are also available at our webpages 

Kari Jordan

Chairman of the  
Board of Directors
b. 1956, Finnish citizen
M.Sc. (Econ.), Vuorineuvos 
(Finnish honorary title)
Outokumpu Board member 
2018–
Chairman of the Board 2018–
Chairman of the Remuneration 
Committee

Eeva Sipilä

Vice Chairman of the 
Board of Directors
b. 1973, Finnish citizen
M. Sc. (Econ.), CEFA
Outokumpu Board member 
2017–
Vice Chairman of the Board 
2020–
Chairman of the Audit 
Committee

Work experience
CEO: Metsäliitto Cooperative 2004–2017
President and CEO: Metsä Group 2006–2018
Chairman: Metsä Board Corporation 2005–2018
Chairman: Metsä Fibre Oy 2006–2017
Chairman: Metsä Tissue Corporation 2004–2017
Executive Vice President and Member of the Group Executive 
Management: Nordea AB and predecessors 1994–2004
Member of the Board of Management: OKOBANK 1987–1994

Positions of trust
Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors: Nordea Bank Abp 2019–
Chairman of the Supervisory Board: Varma Mutual Pension 
Insurance Company 2015–2019
Vice Chairman of the Board: Nokian Tyres Plc 2018–
Chairman of the Board: Finland Chamber of Commerce 2012–2016
Chairman of the Board: Finnish Forest Industries Federation 
2009–2011
Vice Chairman of the Board: Confederation of Finnish Industries 
(EK) 2009–2011, 2013–2014

Holds several positions of trust in foundations and non-profit 
associations.

Positions of trust
Board member (2012–2016) and Audit Committee chairman 
(2014–2016): Metso Corporation
Board member: Basware Corporation 2010–2013

Work experience
Chief Financial Officer and Deputy to the CEO: Metso Outotec 
2020–
Chief Financial Officer and Deputy to the CEO: Metso 
Corporation 2016–2020
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer: Cargotec 
Corporation 2008–2016
SVP, Investor Relations and Communications: Cargotec 
Corporation 2005–2008
VP, Investor Relations: Metso Corporation 2004–2005
Investor Relations Manager: Metso Corporation 2002–2004
Equity Analyst: Mandatum Stockbrokers (part of Sampo group) 
1999–2002
Associate Consultant: Arkwright AB, Stockholm, Sweden 
1997–1998

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Governance

3 / 26

Corporate Governance statement 
Kati ter Horst

Member of the 
Board of Directors
b. 1968, Finnish citizen
M.Sc. (Econ.), MBA 
(International Business)
Outokumpu Board member 
2016–
Member of the Remuneration 
Committee

Vesa-Pekka Takala

Member of the 
Board of Directors
b. 1966, Finnish citizen
M.Sc. (Econ.)
Outokumpu Board member 
2019–
Member of the Audit 
Committee

Work experience
Executive Vice President, Head of Stora Enso Paper, member of 
the Group Leadership team: Stora Enso 2014–
Senior Vice President, Paper Sales, Printing and Living: Stora 
Enso 2013–2014
Senior Vice President, Office Paper Sales, Printing and Reading: 
Stora Enso 2012–2013
Director, Customer Service Centre West, Publication Paper: 
Stora Enso 2010–2012
Several managerial positions in the paper business: 1996–2010
Business analyst: Jaakko Pöyry Consulting, Singapore 
1994–1996

Positions of trust
Board member: Climate Leadership Coalition 2019–
Board member (2017–), Vice chair (2019–2020) and Chair 
(2020–): EURO-GRAPH asbl
Board member: Finnish Forest Industries Federation 2015–

Work experience
Deputy Managing Director: Metsäliitto Cooperative 2017–
Chief Financial Officer (CFO): Metsä Group 2010–
Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Substitute to CEO, Member of 
the Group Executive Committee: Outotec Oyj 2009–2010
Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Member of the Group Executive 
Committee: Outotec Oyj 2006–2009
Executive Vice President, Corporate Controller, Member of the 
Group Executive Committee: Outokumpu Oyj 2005–2006
Senior Vice President, Corporate Controller: Outokumpu Oyj 
2001–2005
Vice President, Corporate Controller: Outokumpu Oyj 
1998–2001

Positions of trust
Board member: Metsä Tissue Oy 2018–
Board member: Metsä Spring Oy 2018–
Chairman of the Board: Metsä Group Treasury Oy 2013–
Board member, the Economy and Tax Committee: Finnish Forest 
Industries 2017–
Member of the Delegation: the Helsinki School of Economics 
Foundation 2014–
Board member, the Economy and Tax Committee: Confederation 
of Finnish Industries (EK) 2013–2016

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Governance

4 / 26

Additional information on work experience and positions of trust 

to be found on the Company’s website 

Corporate Governance statementPierre Vareille

Member of the 
Board of Directors
b. 1957, French citizen, Knight 
of the Legion of Honour in July 
2003
M.Sc. (Ecole Centrale Paris), BA 
(Econ.) (Sorbonne University), 
Degree in Controlling and 
Finance (Institut de Contrôle de 
Gestion)
Outokumpu Board member 
2018–
Member of the Remuneration 
Committee

Julia Woodhouse

Member of the 
Board of Directors
b. 1958, British citizen
BA (hons) History
Outokumpu Board member 
2019–
Member of the Audit Committee

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Governance

Work experience
Chairman and CEO 2012–2013 and CEO 2013–2016: 
Constellium
Chairman of the Board and CEO: FCI SA 2008–2012
Chief Operating Officer: FCI SA 2007–2008
Group Chief Executive: Wagon Plc. 2004–2007
Senior Executive Vice President: Alcan Inc. 2003–2004
Senior Executive Vice President and President of the Aluminium 
Conversion Sector: Pechiney 2002–2003
Executive Vice President and President of the Exhaust Systems 
Business Group: Faurecia 1999–2002
Chairman and CEO: GFI Aerospace (now LISI Aerospace) 
1995–1999
CEO of Group subsidiaries Cefival and Specitubes 1990–1995 
and several operational and staff positions 1982–1989: 
Vallourec Group

Work experience
Director, Global Chassis Purchasing: Ford Motor Company 
2016–2018
Director, Global Power Train Components Purchasing: Ford Motor 
Company 2012–2016
Director, Ford of Europe Program Purchasing: Ford Motor 
Company 2005–2011
Director, Implementation Team: Ford Motor Company 
2004–2005
Director, Team Value Management, Strategy & Business 
Development: Ford Motor Company 2002–2003

Positions of trust
Chairman of the Board: Société Bic SA 2018–
Board member (2015–), member of the Audit Committee 
(2018–2019) and the Nomination and Compensation 
Committee (2019–): Verallia
Founder and Co-President: The Vareille Foundation 2014–
Member of the Strategic Committee: CentraleSupelec 
2008–2019
Lead Director and Vice President of the Board: Société Bic SA 
2016–2018
Board member and member of the Audit Committee: Société 
Bic SA 2009–2016
Board member: CentraleSupelec 2008–2019
Chairman: European Aluminium Association 2015–2016
President: Alumni Association of the Ecole Centrale 2011–2013

In addition, Mr. Vareille has been a Member of the Board of 
Directors of diverse organizations such as the Advisory Board of 
the Confederation of British Industry, the European Committee 
of the MEDEF (Confederation of the French Industry) and the 
GIFAS (French Aerospace Industries Association).

Positions of trust
Independent non-executive board member, Standards & Regulation 
Board: Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors 2020–
Member of the Advisory Board: Nexcel, a BP/Castrol automotive 
technology start-up company 2019–2020
Member of the Strategic Advisory Board: Ford/Michelin 
2016–2018
Committee member: Ford Motor Company Global Purchasing 
Personnel Development Committee 2016–2018
Committee member: Ford Motor Company North America 
Purchasing Diversity Committee 2012–2015
Member: Ford/Ford Otosan Joint Venture Sourcing Governance 
Forum 2007–2011

In addition, Ms. Woodhouse has held several additional roles on 
operating boards including Components Division and International 
Operations.

5 / 26

Corporate Governance statementThe Board assesses the independence of the 
Board members and records the outcome in 
the Board minutes. All members of the Board 
of Directors on December 31, 2020 were 
independent of the company and its significant 
shareholders.

Outokumpu shares and share-based 
rights (parent and subsidiaries) owned 
by each director and their controlled 
corporations on December 31, 2020

Board member

Kari Jordan
Kati ter Horst
Eeva Sipilä
Pierre Vareille
Vesa-Pekka Takala
Julia Woodhouse
Total 

Number of 
shares

206,828
33,998
38,509
44,829
30,848
19,848
374,860

Operations and appointment 
of the Board of Directors
The general objective of the Board of Directors 
is to direct Outokumpu’s business and strate-
gies in a manner that secures a significant and 
sustained increase in the value of the company 
for its shareholders and to ensure that the 
company acts as a reliable and trusted partner 
towards all its stakeholders. To this end, the 
members of the Board are expected to act 
as a resource and to offer their expertise and 
experience for the benefit of the company. The 
tasks and responsibilities of the company’s 
Board of Directors are determined on the basis 
of the Finnish Companies Act as well as other 
applicable legislation.

The Board of Directors has the general 
authority to decide and act in all matters 

not reserved for other corporate governance 
bodies by law or under the provisions of the 
company’s Articles of Association. The general 
task of the Board of Directors is to organize 
and oversee the company’s management and 
operations and it has the duty at all times to 
act in the best interest of the company.

The Board of Directors has established the 
rules of procedure that define its tasks and 
operating principles in the Charter of the Board 
of Directors. The main duties of the Board of 
Directors are as follows:

With respect to directing the 
company’s business and strategies:

•  Decide on Outokumpu’s strategy and 

the long-term targets of the Outokumpu 
Group (the “Group”) and monitor their 
implementation;

•  Decide on annual business plans and 

monitor their implementation;

•  Decide on annual limits for the Group’s 
capital expenditure, monitor related 
implementation, review performance and 
decide on changes;

•  Decide on any major and strategically 

significant investments and monitor their 
implementation;

•  Decide on any major and strategically 

important business acquisitions and divest-
ments and monitor their implementation;

•  Decide on the Group’s external financing and 
treasury matters as follows and as further 
defined in the Board Charter;

i.  All long-term financing arrangements by 

any Group company;

ii.  Any major leasing arrangements; sale 
of receivables programmes; short-term 
financing arrangements; and pledges and 
guarantees; by any Group company;

iii. Any major short-term derivatives or long-
term derivatives, or any derivatives not 
done for hedging or liquidity management 
purposes; by any Group company;

iv. Any other significant financing and 

treasury transactions which are otherwise 
out of the Group’s normal course of 
business;

•  Decide on any other commitments by any 

of the Group companies that are out of the 
ordinary either in terms of value or nature, 
taking into account the size, structure, and 
field of the Group’s operations.

With respect to organizing the 
company’s management and operations:

•  Nominate and dismiss the CEO and his/her 
deputy, if any, monitor his/her performance 
and decide on the CEO’s terms of service, 
including incentive schemes, on the basis of 
a proposal made by the Board’s Remunera-
tion Committee;

•  Nominate and dismiss the members of 

the Outokumpu Leadership Team and to 
define their areas of responsibility based 
on a proposal by the Board’s Remuneration 
Committee;

•  Monitor the adequacy and allocation of the 

Group’s top management resources;

•  Decide on any significant changes to the 

Group’s business organization;

•  Decide on the Group’s ethical values and 

modes of activity

•  Ensure that policies outlining the principles 

of corporate governance are in place;

•  Ensure that policies outlining the principles 
of managing the company’s insider issues 
and related party transactions are being 
observed;

•  Ensure that the company has guidelines for 
any other matters that the Board deems 
necessary and that fall within the scope of 
the Board’s duties and authority.

With respect to the preparation 
of matters to be resolved by the 
General Meetings of Shareholders:

•  Establish a dividend policy and issue a 

proposal to the Annual General Meeting on 
dividend distribution;

•  Make a proposal to the Annual General 
Meeting concerning the election of an 
external auditor and auditing fees;

•  Make proposals to the Annual General 

Meeting concerning the Company’s Remu-
neration Policy and Remuneration Report; 
and 

•  Make other proposals to General Meetings of 

Shareholders.

With respect to financial control 
and risk management:

•  Discuss and approve interim reports, 
statements, and annual accounts;

•  Monitor significant risks related to the 

Group’s operations and the management of 
such risks;

•  Ensure that adequate policies for risk 

management are in place;

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Governance

6 / 26

Corporate Governance statement•  Monitor financial position, liquidity, and debt 

maturity structure;

•  Monitor the Group’s control environment;

•  Monitor and assess how agreements and 

other legal acts between the company and 
its related parties meet the requirements of 
the ordinary course of business and arm’s 
length terms; and

•  Reassess its activities on a regular basis.

In 2020, the Board of Directors conducted 
an assessment of its ways of working and 
performance with support from an external 
service provider. The assessment results were 
presented to the Shareholders’ Nomination 
Board.

According to the company’s Articles of 
Association, the Board of Directors constitutes 
a quorum when more than half of its elected 
members are present. A decision by the Board 
of Directors shall be the opinion supported by 
more than half of the members present at a 
meeting. In the event of a tie, the Chairman 
shall have the casting vote.

The Annual General Meeting elects the 
Chairman, Vice Chairman and other members 
of the Board of Directors for a term expiring 
at the close of the following Annual General 
Meeting. The entire Board of Directors is, there-
fore, elected at each Annual General Meeting. 
A Board member may be removed from office 
at any time by a resolution passed by a 
General Meeting of Shareholders. Proposals 
to the Annual General Meeting concerning 
the election of Board members that have 
been made known to the Board of Directors 
prior to the Annual General Meeting will be 

made public if such a proposal is supported 
by shareholders holding a minimum of 10% of 
all the company’s shares and voting rights and 
the person being proposed has consented to 
such nomination.

its proposals to the Annual General Meeting 
and the progress in achieving set objectives 
shall be disclosed annually. The objective of 
a well-balanced Board structure in terms of 
gender representation was achieved in 2020.

the Board of Directors concerning the election 
of an external auditor and auditing fees at a 
General Meeting. The Audit Committee met six 
times during 2020, and the attendance rate 
was 100%.

Under the company’s Articles of Association, 
the Board shall have a minimum of five and 
a maximum of twelve members. A Board 
consisting of 6 members was elected at the 
Annual General Meeting 2020. Board meetings 
will be held as regularly as deemed necessary, 
but at least five times every year. In 2020, the 
Board of Directors had 23 meetings, and the 
average attendance rate was 99%.

Breakdown of individual 
attendance at Board meetings 

23 meetings in 2020

Attendance

Kari Jordan
Kati ter Horst
Heikki Malinen, until April 30, 2020
Eeva Sipilä
Pierre Vareille
Vesa-Pekka Takala
Julia Woodhouse

23/23
23/23
9/9
22/23
23/23
23/23
23/23

Diversity principles of the 
Board of Directors
Diversity of the Board of Directors supports 
the vision and long-term objectives of the 
Group. Outokumpu recognizes the importance 
of a diverse Board, taking age, educational 
and international background, professional 
expertise, experience from relevant industrial 
sectors as well as a well-balanced gender 
representation into account. The Shareholders’ 
Nomination Board shall take the Diversity 
Principles into consideration when preparing 

The review by the Board of Directors is found 
on p. 2 in the section Review by the Board of 
Directors and Financial statements.

Breakdown of individual attendance 
at Audit Committee meetings 

6 meetings in 2020

Attendance

Eeva Sipilä
Kati ter Horst, until April 30, 2020
Vesa-Pekka Takala
Julia Woodhouse

6/6
1/1
6/6
6/6

Remuneration Committee
The Remuneration Committee consists of 
the Chairman of the Board and a minimum 
of two additional Board members. The 
tasks of the Remuneration Committee is to 
prepare proposals to the Board concerning 
the appointment of the company’s top 
management and principles relating to the 
compensation they receive as well as the 
company’s Remuneration Policy and Remuner-
ation Report. The terms of service and benefits 
of the Leadership Team members other than 
the CEO, are determined and approved by the 
Remuneration Committee. 

The Committee’s rules of procedure shall be 
further defined in the Remuneration Committee 
Charter, approved by the Board. The Remuner-
ation Committee met nine times during 2020, 
and the average attendance rate was 93%.

Composition and operations 
of the Board committees
The Board of Directors has set up two perma-
nent committees consisting of Board members 
and has confirmed the rules of procedure for 
these committees. Both committees report to 
the Board of Directors.

Audit Committee
The Audit Committee consists of a minimum 
of three Board members. At least one of the 
Committee members shall have an appropriate 
education and special expertise in corporate 
finance, accounting or auditing. The rules of 
procedure for and responsibilities of the Audit 
Committee have been established in the Audit 
Committee Charter approved by the Board of 
Directors. The task of the Audit Committee is, 
in greater detail than is possible for the Board 
as a whole, to deal with matters relating to 
financial statements, the company’s financial 
position, auditing work, internal controls and 
compliance matters, the scope of internal 
and external audits, fees paid to the auditors 
the Group’s tax position, the Group’s financial 
policies, monitoring and assessing related 
party transactions and other procedures for 
managing Group risks. In addition, the Audit 
Committee prepares a recommendation to 

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Governance

7 / 26

Corporate Governance statementBreakdown of individual attendance at 
Remuneration Committee meetings

9 meetings in 2020

Attendance

Kari Jordan
Kati ter Horst, from May 1, 2020
Heikki Malinen, until April 30, 2020
Pierre Vareille

9/9
6/6
1/3
9/9

Temporary working groups
To handle specific tasks, the Board of Directors 
can also set up temporary working groups 
consisting of Board members. These working 
groups report to the Board of Directors. No 
temporary working groups were set up in 2020.

Shareholders’ Nomination Board

Outokumpu’s Annual General Meeting in 2012 
resolved to establish a Shareholders’ Nomi-
nation Board to annually prepare proposals to 
the Annual General Meeting for the election, 
composition, and compensation of the 
members of the Board of Directors.

The Annual General Meeting has adopted a 
Charter of the Shareholders’ Nomination Board, 
last revised in 2019, which regulates the 
nomination and composition, and defines the 
tasks and duties of the Nomination Board.

The Nomination Board consists of five 
members. Four of the members represent the 
company’s four largest shareholders and the 
Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors, 
in his capacity as an expert member, acts as 
the fifth member of the Nomination Board.

The representatives of the four largest share-
holders of the company are annually appointed 
to the Nomination Board. The largest share-
holders of the company are determined on 
the basis of the shareholders’ register of the 
company and the ownership situation at the 
closing of Nasdaq Helsinki’s last trading day in 
August. The company’s shareholders’ register 
only consists of shareholders who are directly 
registered in the Finnish book-entry system. 
Accordingly, to be eligible for membership in 
the Nomination Board, a nominee-registered 
shareholder needs to register the respective 
shareholding directly in the Finnish book-entry 
system for at least the said date.

In case a shareholder, who under the Finnish 
Securities Markets Act has an obligation to 
announce changes in its shareholdings and to 
sum up its holdings together with the holdings 

of certain other parties when doing so (flagging 
obligation), presents no later than on August 
31 a written request to that effect to the 
Chairman of the company’s Board of Directors, 
then the holdings of such shareholder and 
other parties shall be summed up for the 
purposes of determining the holdings of the 
largest shareholders.

Institution of Finland, Ilmarinen Mutual Pension 
Insurance Company and the State Pension 
Fund of Finland. As the State Pension Fund of 
Finland informed Outokumpu that it will not 
use its nomination right, the right transferred 
to Elo Mutual Pension Insurance Company 
as the next largest shareholder registered in 
Outokumpu’s shareholder register.

These shareholders nominated the following 
individuals as their representatives in the 
Nomination Board: Antti Mäkinen, Managing 
Director of Solidium Oy; Outi Antila, Director 
General at The Social Insurance Institution of 
Finland, Jouko Pölönen, President and CEO of 
Ilmarinen Mutual Pension Insurance Company 
and Satu Huber, Chief Executive Officer at 
Elo Mutual Pension Insurance Company. 
Antti Mäkinen was elected Chairman of the 
Nomination Board, and Kari Jordan, Chairman 
of the Outokumpu Board of Directors, served 
as an expert member.

The Nomination Board convened four times, 
and the attendance rate was 100%. The 
Nomination Board has submitted its proposals 
regarding the Board composition and director 
compensation to Outokumpu’s Board of 
Directors, and the Board has incorporated 
these proposals into the notice convening the 
Outokumpu 2021 Annual General Meeting of 
Shareholders. 

In case two or more shareholders own an equal 
number of shares and, as a consequence, the 
four largest shareholders cannot be deter-
mined, the status of these shareholders among 
the four largest shareholders shall be resolved 
by drawing lots.

The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall 
request the four largest shareholders of the 
company each to nominate one member to 
the Nomination Board. Should a shareholder 
wish not to use its nomination right, the right 
transfers to the next largest shareholder who 
would otherwise not have a nomination right.

The term of office of the members of the 
Nomination Board expires annually when a 
new Nomination Board has been appointed. A 
shareholder may change its representative in 
the Nomination Board mid-term, should there 
be a weighty cause for such a change.

Decisions of the Nomination Board shall be 
unanimous. If unanimity cannot be reached, 
members of the Nomination Board shall 
present their own proposals to the Annual 
General Meeting individually or jointly with 
other members of the Nomination Board.

Shareholders with the right to appoint 
representatives to the Nomination Board in 
2020 were Solidium Oy, the Social Insurance 

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Governance

8 / 26

Corporate Governance statementExecutive Management 
Biographical details of the CEO and the Leadership Team on December 31, 2020

Heikki Malinen

President and CEO
b. 1962, Finnish citizen
M.Sc. (Econ.), MBA (Harvard)
President and Chief Executive Officer 2020–
Chairman of the Outokumpu Leadership Team 
2020–
Responsibility: Group management, legal, 
corporate affairs and compliance, safety and 
health and business area Europe
Employed by Outokumpu Group since 2020

Pia Aaltonen-Forsell

CFO
b. 1974, Finnish citizen
M.Soc.Sc. (Econ.), MBA
Chief Financial Officer, 2019–
Member of the Outokumpu Leadership Team 
2019–
Responsibility: Financial and business 
controlling, treasury, mergers and acquisitions, 
taxation, internal controls and internal audit, 
investor relations, general procurement, 
strategy and Transformation Office
Employed by Outokumpu Group since 2019

Positions of trust
Vice Chairman (2019–2020) and Board member: 
Outokumpu 2012–2020
Vice Chairman (2016–2018) and Board member: 
Service Sector Employers PALTA 2013–2019
Chairman: Realia Group 2017–2020
Board member: East Office of Finnish Industries 
2012–2019
Chairman: American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham 
Finland) 2009–2014
Board member: Ilmarinen Mutual Pension Insurance 
Company 2014–2016
Board member: Federation of Finnish Technology 
Industries 2011–2012
Supervisory Board member: Finnish Fair Corporation 
2014–2019
Supervisory Board member: Ilmarinen Mutual Pension 
Insurance Company 2013
Board member: Botnia Oy 2006–2008

Positions of trust
Board member (2017–) and Audit Committee Chair 
(2018–): Uponor

Work experience
President and CEO: Posti Group Corporation (formerly 
Itella Corporation) 2012–2019
President and CEO: Pöyry PLC 2008–2012
Executive Vice President, Strategy, member of the UPM 
Executive Team: UPMKymmene Corporation, Helsinki, 
Finland 2006–2008
President: UPM North America, Chicago, USA 
2004–2005
President of Sales: UPM North America, Chicago, USA 
2002–2003
Managing Partner: Jaakko Pöyry Consulting, New York, 
USA 2000–2001
Engagement Manager: McKinsey & Co, Atlanta, USA 
1997–1999
Director, Business Development UPM Paper Divisions, 
Helsinki, Finland 1994–1996

Work experience
Executive Vice President & CFO: Ahlström-Munksjö 
2018
Chief Financial Officer: Munksjö 2015–2017
Chief Financial Officer: Vacon 2013–2015
Senior Vice President, Finance, IT and M&A, Building 
and Living: Stora Enso 2012–2013
Senior Vice President & Group Controller: Stora Enso 
2009–2012
Various finance and managerial positions: Stora Enso 
2000–2009

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Governance

9 / 26

Corporate Governance statementPositions of trust
Member of the Board and Vice Chairman: ISER 
Germany 2016–

Thomas Anstots

Executive Vice President, Commercial, 
business area Europe
b. 1962, German citizen
M.Sc. (Mechanical Engineering)
Executive Vice President, Commercial, 
business area Europe 2020–
Member of the Leadership Team 2020–
Responsibility: Sales in business area Europe 
and global marketing
Employed by Outokumpu Group since 2012

Stefan Erdmann

Chief Technology Officer
b. 1972, German citizen
M.Sc. (Eng.)
Chief Technology Officer 2020–
Member of the Leadership Team 2020–
Responsibility: Research and development, 
technology, sustainability, investment steering 
and Group IT
Employed by Outokumpu Group since 2018

Work experience
Senior Vice President, Head of Sales, business area 
Europe: Outokumpu 2019–2020
Senior Vice President, Sales North: Outokumpu 
2014–2018
Vice President, Sales Central and Service Center 
Operations: Outokumpu 2013
General Manager: Nirosta Service Center: Inoxum/
ThyssenKrupp Nirosta 2010–2012
Managing Director Technology, Service Center Group: 
ThyssenKrupp Nirosta 2005–2009
Vice President, Business Processes and Applications: 
ThyssenKrupp Nirosta 2002–2004
Plant Manager, Finish Departments: ThyssenKrupp 
Nirosta 1998–2001
Various Manager and Senior Manager Positions in 
Cold Rolling Mill Production: Thyssen Edelstahl/Krupp 
Thyssen 1989–1997

Work experience
Senior Vice President and CTO: Outokumpu 
2018–2020
Technical Managing Director: Aluminium Norf GmbH 
2015–2018
Vice President; Global Research and Development: 
Novelis Inc 2011–2015
General Manager; Business Unit Can Europe: Novelis 
AG 2009–2011
General Manager: Novelis Deutschland GmbH 
2007–2009
Sales Director Painted Products: Novelis Europe 
2006–2007
Various operational and managerial positions: Novelis 
and Alcan 1993–2006

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Governance

10 / 26

Corporate Governance statementMartti Sassi

President, business area Ferrochrome
b. 1964, Finnish citizen
M.Sc. (Eng.)
President, business area Ferrochrome 2020–
Member of the Leadership Team 2020–
Responsibility: Business area Ferrochrome
Employed by Outokumpu Group since 1990

Work experience
Senior Vice President – business area Ferrochrome: 
Outokumpu 2018–2020
Senior Vice President – Tornio Stainless and 
Ferrochrome Operations: Outokumpu 2016–2018
Senior Vice President – Tornio Stainless Operations: 
Outokumpu 2012–2016
Vice President – Tornio Stainless Business Excellence: 
Outokumpu 2010–2012
General Manager – Tornio Cold Rolling Plant: 
Outokumpu 2006–2010
Various operations and R&D positions 1990–2006: 
Outokumpu

Positions of trust
Board member: Association of Finnish Steel and Metal 
Producers 2020–
Chairman of Board: Chamber of Commerce in Lapland 
2020–
Council member: International Chromium Development 
Association 2019–
Board member: EuroAlliages 2018–

Johann Steiner

Chief Human Resources Officer
b. 1966, German citizen
M.Sc. (Econ.)
Chief Human Resources Officer 2020–
Member of the Outokumpu Leadership Team 
2013–
Responsibility: Human resources, Group 
communications and Global Business Services 
(GBS)
Employed by Outokumpu Group since 2013

Work experience
Executive Vice President – Human Resources and 
Organization Development: Outokumpu 2016–2020
Executive Vice President – Human Resources, IT, Health 
and Safety: Outokumpu 2013–2016
Executive Vice President – Human Resources and 
Health, Safety and Sustainability: Outokumpu 2013
Group HR Director: SAG Group GmbH 2012
Operating Partner: Humatica AG 2010–2012
Group HR Director: Clariant International AG 
2002–2008
VP Executive Policies: EADS (former DaimlerChrysler 
Aerospace AG) 1999–2002
Senior Consultant: Towers Perrin 1993–1998

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Governance

11 / 26

Corporate Governance statementNiklas Wass

Executive Vice President, Operations, 
business area Europe
b. 1977, Swedish citizen
M.Sc. (Environmental Science)
Executive Vice President, Operations, business 
area Europe 2020–
Member of the Leadership Team 2020–
Responsibility: Operations and supply chain 
management in business area Europe
Employed by Outokumpu Group since 2002

Tamara Weinert

Acting President, business area Americas
b. 1965, German citizen
MBA, M.Sc.
Acting President, business area Americas 
2020–
Member of the Leadership Team 2020–
Responsibility: Business area Americas
Employed by Outokumpu Group since 2012

Work experience
Senior Vice President – Operations Europe: Outokumpu 
2020
Senior Vice President – Tornio Operations: Outokumpu 
2018–2020
Vice President – Quarto Plate: Outokumpu 2015–2018
General Manager Production: Outokumpu Degerfors 
2010–2015
Various operational positions: Outokumpu 2002–2010

Positions of trust
Board member: Swedish Steel association 
(Jernkontoret) 2015–

Work experience
Senior Vice President – Sales South & Overseas, 
business area Europe: Outokumpu 2016–2020
Senior Vice President – Finance & Control, business 
area Europe: Outokumpu 2013–2016 
Vice President – Investor Relations: Outokumpu 
2012–2013
Director Treasury, Risk Management, Insurance & 
Investor Relations: Inoxum 2012
Director, Head of Corporate & Structured Finance: 
Vattenfall 2011–2012
Treasurer: N.V. Nuon 2008–2010
Risk Management: N.V. Nuon 2000–2008

International postings in India, Singapore, Russia, 
Netherlands and Finland

Information on work experience and positions of 
trust to be found on the Company’s website 

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Governance

12 / 26

Corporate Governance statementOutokumpu shares and share-based 
rights (parent or subsidiaries) 
owned by the CEO and Leadership 
Team members and their 
respective controlled corporations 
on December 31, 2020

Member of the Leadership Team

Heikki Malinen
Pia Aaltonen-Forsell
Thomas Anstots
Stefan Erdmann
Olli-Matti Saksi
Martti Sassi
Johann Steiner
Niklas Wass
Tamara Weinert (acting)
Total 

Number of 
shares

45,459
0
94,909
10,000
317,676
17,196
155,444
18,443
25,319
684,446

More information on compensation can be 
found in the Remuneration Report.

CEO and deputy to the CEO
The President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) 
is responsible for the company’s operational 
management, in which the objective is to 
secure significant and sustainable growth in 
the value of the company for its shareholders.

The CEO prepares decisions and other matters 
for the meetings of the Board of Directors, 
develops the Group’s operations in line with 
the targets agreed with the Board of Directors, 
and ensures the proper implementation of 
Board decisions. The CEO is also responsible 
for ensuring that the existing legislation and 
applicable regulations are observed throughout 
the Group. The deputy to the CEO, if one has 
been appointed, is responsible for attending to 
the CEO’s duties in the event that the CEO is 
prevented from doing so. Currently, no deputy 
to the CEO has been appointed.

Leadership Team and 
Business Area Boards
The Outokumpu Leadership Team, chaired by 
the CEO, is a reporting and decision-making 
forum for steering and managing Outokumpu’s 
corporate agenda. The Outokumpu Leadership 
Team consists of the CEO, his/her deputy 
(if one has been appointed) and other key 
members of senior management. The Group 
Functions Board is a sub-section of the Outo-
kumpu Leadership Team and a monitoring and 
decision-making forum for the corporate affairs 
of the Group Functions. The Group Functions 
Board is chaired by the CEO. Decisions taken 
by the Group Functions Board are reported to 
the Outokumpu Leadership Team.

Each Outokumpu business area is steered by 
a Business Area Board, chaired by the CEO. 
The Business Area Boards consist of the CEO, 
the Chief Financial Officer, the Head of the 

respective business area and selected other 
key members of senior management.

The decision-making authorities of the 
Leadership Team and the Business Area 
Boards follow from the authority of the CEO. It 
is the duty of these bodies to run and develop 
the Group’s operations in line with the strategy 
and targets set by the Board of Directors. 

The Leadership Team and the Business Area 
Board meetings are convened by the CEO. 
Minutes shall be kept for each meeting.

The Leadership Team, the Group Functions 
Board and the Business Area Boards typically 
meet once a month.

Organization structure on Dec 31, 2020

President and CEO 
Heikki Malinen

Finance

Human resources

Technology and sustainability

Europe operations

Europe commercial

Americas

Long Products

Ferrochrome

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Governance

13 / 26

Corporate Governance statementInternal control procedures and the main features of the risk management systems

Internal control and 
risk management 
According to the Finnish Limited Liability 
Companies Act and the Finnish Corporate 
Governance Code, the Board of Directors is 
responsible for ensuring that the company’s 
internal controls are appropriately organized. 
The purpose of this section is to provide 
shareholders and other parties with a 
description of how the internal control and risk 
management of financial reporting is organized 
in Outokumpu. As a listed company, the Group 
has to comply with a variety of regulations. To 
ensure that all the stated requirements are 
met, Outokumpu has introduced principles 
for financial reporting and internal control and 
deployed them throughout the company’s 
organization.

Control environment

The foundation of Outokumpu’s control envi-
ronment is the business culture established 
within the Group and its associated methods 
of operation. The basis for the company’s 
compliance and control routines is provided 
by Group policies and principles, which define 
the way in which Outokumpu’s organization 
operates. These policies and principles include, 
for example, the Corporate Responsibility 
Policy and Ethics Statement. The Outokumpu 
Code of Conduct describes the Group’s basic 
values and offers standardized, practical 
guidelines for managers and employees to 
follow. Furthermore, the Internal Control 
Policy, the Approval Policy and the Identity and 
Access Management Policy define many of 
the principles related to the system of internal 
controls.

Risk management 
process in Outokumpu

Enterprise-wide risks

s
k
s
i
r

r
o
f

y
t
i
l
i

i

b
s
n
o
p
s
e
R

Top-down
Policies, guidelines 
and requirements

Bottom-up
Identification, 
evaluation, mitigation 
and reporting

Risk 
reporting 
(external/
internal)

Regular risk 
updates

Identification

Leadership Team

Evaluation and 
prioritization

Business areas and  
Group functions

Risk monitoring 
and control

Mitigation

Operations

The performance management and the risk 
management processes are key management 
activities in enabling an efficient control 
environment. In all sections of the Group’s 
operations, the planning activities and the 
setting of both operational and financial 
targets are executed in accordance with Outo-
kumpu’s overall business targets. Management 
follow-up of related achievements and risks 
is carried out through regular management 
reporting and meeting routines.

In 2020, Outokumpu has established a 
separate Internal Control function to oversee 
and develop Outokumpu’s system of internal 
controls. The new function is also responsible 
for Group-wide governance, risk and compli-
ance coordination. With the lead of the Internal 
Control function, Outokumpu has continued 
the measures to develop and implement global, 
aligned and consistent risk management and 
the internal control process, which is expected 
to provide improved assurance for the Group 
to reach its key targets. In the course of 2021, 
the new risk management and internal control 

processes will be implemented wider to cover 
the key entities and functions of the Group.

Risk management
Outokumpu operates in accordance with the 
risk management policy approved by the 
company’s Board of Directors. The policy 
defines the objectives, approaches, and areas 
of responsibility in the Group’s risk manage-
ment activities. In addition to supporting 
Outokumpu’s strategy, the aim of risk manage-
ment is identifying, evaluating, mitigating 
and controlling risks from the perspective of 
shareholders, customers, suppliers, personnel, 
creditors, and other stakeholders.

Risk management organization

The Board of Directors carries ultimate respon-
sibility for risk management within Outokumpu. 
The CEO and members of the Leadership Team 
are responsible for defining and implementing 
risk management procedures, and for ensuring 
that risks are both properly addressed and 
considered in strategic and business planning.

Outokumpu’s Risk Management Steering Group, 
led by the CFO, is the governing body for risk 
management in Outokumpu.

The Business areas and Group functions 
are responsible for managing the risks 
connected with their own operations. The Risk 
Management Steering Group and the Board of 
Directors review the key risks and actions to be 
taken to manage these risks on a regular basis. 
The Treasury and Risk Management function 
supports the implementation of Outokumpu’s 
risk management policy, facilitates and 
coordinates risk management activities, and 
prepares quarterly risk reports for management, 
the Board Audit Committee and Auditors.

Risk management process

Outokumpu has defined risk as anything that 
could have an adverse impact on achieving 
the Group’s objectives. Risks can, therefore, 
be threats, uncertainties, or lost opportunities 
connected with current or future operations. 
Outokumpu’s appetite for risk and risk 
tolerance are defined regularly in relation to 
earnings, cash flows, and capital structure. The 

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Governance

14 / 26

Corporate Governance statement 
 
risk management process is an integral part 
of the overall management processes and is 
divided into four stages: 1) risk identification; 
2) evaluation and prioritization; 3) mitigation 
and controls and 4) reporting. The risk 
management process in Outokumpu is two-fold: 
a top-down approach to manage the Group’s 
key risks and a bottom-up approach focusing 
on operational level risks.

Within Outokumpu, the risk management 
process is monitored and controlled at different 
organizational levels. Regular risk updates are 
carried out to capture relevant information. The 
monitoring of the results and risk updates also 
ensure that accurate information is provided 
both internally – to business area management 
teams and members of the Leadership 
Team – and externally to relevant parties such 
as shareholders and other stakeholders. Risk 
mitigation actions are defined according to the 
risk identification and the impact/likelihood 
assessments.

Focus areas

The focus in risk management in 2020 was 
on implementing the mitigation actions of the 
identified risks, supporting debt reduction at 
Outokumpu e.g. by focused working capital 
management and by improving the overall 
efficiency of the risk management process. 
Furthermore, the harsh market environment, 
especially in Europe, required several miti-
gating actions to protect the Group’s earnings 
and cash flows.

Outokumpu continued its systematic fire safety 
and loss prevention audit program, focusing 
on execution of the mitigating actions. Due to 
the 2020 travel restrictions, many audits were 

conducted virtually using in-house expertise in 
cooperation with external advisors.

The main realized risks in 2020 were related 
to the disruption of the stainless steel 
markets due to the pandemic, and imports 
that continued to have a negative impact on 
stainless steel base prices and deliveries in 
Europe throughout the year.

Internal controls for 
financial reporting
Outokumpu’s control process for financial 
reporting is mainly based on the Internal 
Control Policy, Outokumpu Accounting Prin-
ciples and the Approval Policy, as well as on 
the responsibility and authorization structure 
within the Group. Policies relating to financial 
reporting are usually owned and approved by 
the CEO and the CFO. Financial reporting in 
Outokumpu is carried out in a harmonized 
way using a common chart of accounts and 
principles.

Financial reporting is prepared in a harmonized 
way in accordance with International Financial 
Reporting Standards (IFRS). The Outokumpu 
Accounting Principles (OAP) are Outokumpu’s 
application guidance on IFRS. The aim of the 
OAP and other financial reporting policies and 
instructions is to ensure that uniform financial 
processes and reporting practices are used 
throughout the Group. Policies and instructions 
for financial reporting are reviewed on a regular 
basis and revised when necessary. 

In 2020, Outokumpu implemented a process 
and solution to report financial statements in 
the European Single Electronic Platform (ESEF). 
Outokumpu also launched a new financial 

closing management system to develop quality, 
consistency and transparency of the controls 
around financial closing process including 
account reconciliations and manual journals. At 
the end of 2020 the new processes covered 
more than half of the targeted scope. In 2021, 
Outokumpu will further implement its financial 
closing management system across the Group 
and plans to continue developing its financial 
reporting process and related controls. 

The financial statements of the parent 
company and stand-alone Finnish subsidiaries 
are prepared in accordance with generally 
accepted accounting principles in Finland, 
while foreign subsidiaries follow local 
accounting principles. Outokumpu also 
complies with the regulations regarding the 
financial reporting published by the Financial 
Supervisory Authority (FIN-FSA), Nasdaq 
Helsinki, and ESMA.

Identification and assessment of 
risks related to financial reporting

The risks related to the Group’s financial 
reporting are managed according to 
Outokumpu’s risk management process and 
classified as operational risks that can arise as 
consequences of inadequate or failed internal 
processes, employee actions, systems, or other 
events such as misconduct or crime. The risks 
related to financial reporting are identified and 
typically assessed in risk workshops and in 
2020 one focus area was the risk related to 
inventory valuations.

Control activities

In addition to the Board of Directors, finance 
management at all levels as well as the Boards 

of subsidiary companies are responsible for 
ensuring that the internal controls relating to 
financial reporting are in place. Outokumpu has 
centralized the majority of its accounting and 
financial reporting in its global business service 
centers, which enables the efficient execution 
of internal control activities.

The aim of control activities is to discover, 
prevent, and correct the potential errors 
and deviations in financial reporting. Control 
activities also aim to ensure that authorization 
structures are designed and implemented in 
such a way that incompatible tasks (i.e. one 
person performing a critical activity and also 
being responsible for controlling that activity) 
are segregated. Control activities consist 
of different kinds of measures and include 
reviews of financial reports by Group manage-
ment and in business area management teams, 
the reconciliation of accounts, analyses of 
the logic behind reported figures, forecasts 
compared to actual reported figures, and 
analyses of the Group’s financial reporting 
processes, among others. A key component is 
the monitoring of monthly performance against 
financial and operational targets. These control 
activities take place at different levels of the 
organization.

The most important accounting items in 
Outokumpu are the valuation and reporting of 
inventories and other items requiring manage-
ment judgment, such as provisions. Moreover, 
in difficult market situations, such as the 
current COVID-19 pandemic, asset impairment 
calculations and the related sensitivity 
analyses are equally important. These items 
are carefully monitored and controlled on a 

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Governance

15 / 26

Corporate Governance statementregular basis, both within business areas and 
at the Group level.

Information technology and solutions play an 
important role in ensuring the appropriate 
structures for internal controls. The Group’s 
consolidation system provides timely and 
uniform financial and management reporting 
from the Group entities and an effective 
closing process within the whole Group. 
Outokumpu is also running a business trans-
formation program to develop and improve 
business capabilities and to renew parts of its 
fragmented system environment. This will be 
achieved mainly by harmonizing and improving 
the Group’s core business processes and 
implementing supporting IT systems, with 
improved system-based controls embedded 
in processes. The first rollouts of the new 
ERP together with other related IT systems 
took place during 2019. Further rollouts of 
the system will take place in 2021 as the 
scheduled rollouts for 2020 were postponed 
partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Outokumpu has centralized the majority of its 
accounting and financial reporting in its global 
business service centers, which enables further 
development and harmonization opportunities 
for internal control activities.

Information and communication

Group-wide policies and principles are available 
to all Outokumpu employees. Instructions 
relating to financial reporting are communi-
cated to all of the parties involved. The main 
communication channels employed are regular 
controller meetings, Outokumpu’s intranet, 
other easily accessible databases, and email. 
In the pandemic situation with remote work 

promoted, only a very limited number of 
face-to-face controller meetings have been 
organized. Finance Leadership Team meetings 
are organized regularly to share information 
and discuss issues of topical interest to the 
Group.

Furthermore, Outokumpu has established 
steering groups (e.g. for risk management and 
compliance topics) in which financial reporting 
and internal control issues can be discussed 
and reviewed. These groups typically consist 
of senior members of management and 
substance experts. The aim of these bodies 
is to ensure that common financial processes 
and reporting practices are followed throughout 
the Group and that effective internal controls 
relating to financial reporting are established.

Follow-up

Both management in all Outokumpu compa-
nies and personnel in the accounting and 
controlling functions are responsible for the 
follow-up and monitoring of internal controls 
connected with financial reporting. Through its 
activities, the Internal Audit function monitors 
that an appropriate control environment exists 
across the Group. Risk management, compli-
ance function, and external auditors are also 
engaged in the follow-up of control activities. 
The findings of the follow-up procedures are 
reported to the Board Audit Committee and 
the Outokumpu Leadership Team on a regular 
basis.

Internal audit
Internal Audit is an independent and objective 
assurance, control, and consulting function 
designated to add value, improve operations, 

and monitor and support the organization in 
the achievement of its objectives. Through a 
systematic, disciplined approach, Internal Audit 
determines whether governance and compli-
ance processes, the internal control system, 
and the risk management process, as designed 
and represented by the Board of Directors and 
the Outokumpu Leadership Team, are effective 
and efficient. 

With a strong commitment to integrity 
and accountability, Internal Audit provides 
value to the Board of Directors and senior 
management as an objective and direct source 
of information, insights and independent 
advice. Internal Audit monitors adherence to 
Group principles, policies and instructions, 
and leads investigations on fraudulent and 
noncompliant behaviors and activities. Internal 
Audit performs its function on behalf of and 
directly reports to the Board Audit Committee 
and to the executive management. The internal 
audit plan is approved by the Board Audit 
Committee. In addition, the function may carry 
out unscheduled audits when needed.

In 2020, Internal Audit performed six oper-
ational audits. The results of the audits that 
were carried out, including their risk appraisals, 
are reported and distributed in writing. In view 
of the Outokumpu Code of Conduct and the 
Corporate Responsibility Policy, no issues of 
material risk for the Outokumpu Group were 
identified. The 2021 internal audit plan will 
focus on strategy implementation, key projects 
and certain Group companies selected based 
on assumed level of different types of risk.

Outokumpu encourages everyone to raise their 
concerns. There are several ways to report 

alleged misconduct, including SpeakUp, an 
externally operated communication channel, 
that offers the option to report misconduct 
confidentially and anonymously, if allowed by 
the laws and regulations.

SpeakUp is available both internally on 
company intranet and for external stakeholders 
via the company webpage. More than twenty 
investigations of potential misconduct were 
recorded in 2020, and thereof 16 cases were 
reported via SpeakUp and 6 were recognized 
through other channels.

During the year Internal Audit provided 
additional support e.g. in investigation of the 
possible segregation of duty issues in the 
system environment.

Compliance
Outokumpu is strongly committed to the 
highest ethical standards and complies with 
the applicable laws and regulations of the 
countries in which it operates as well as with 
the agreements and commitments it has made. 
Outokumpu’s Code of Conduct sets out these 
ethical standards and provides guidelines for 
a common way of operating with the aim of 
ensuring that all Outokumpu employees live up 
to Outokumpu’s ethical standards.

Outokumpu’s Legal and Compliance function 
is responsible for managing and continuously 
developing Outokumpu’s ethics and 
compliance program. Outokumpu’s ethics 
and compliance program is described in 
more detail as part of Outokumpu & society 
at www.outokumpu.com. The Legal and 
Compliance function reports to the CEO and 
to the Outokumpu Leadership Team as well 

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Governance

16 / 26

Corporate Governance statementas directly to the Board Audit Committee on 
compliance-related matters. Compliance-re-
lated matters are also regularly handled in 
the Compliance Steering Group, consisting of 
the CEO, CFO, Head of HR and Organization 
Development, Head of Internal Audit, Corporate 
General Counsel and Head of Compliance. The 
Compliance Steering Group met four times 
in 2020. A network of compliance contact 
persons supports the local implementation 
of the ethics and compliance program in the 
business areas and business support functions.

Insider management
The company’s Insider Rules, the Finnish 
insider laws and regulations, including the 
EU Market Abuse Regulation, constitute the 
primary legal framework for the insider issues 
relevant to the Group and its employees. 

Furthermore, the Regulation on EU Energy 
Market Integrity and Transparency sets forth 
similar requirements as the Market Abuse 
Regulation on dealing with inside information 
relating to wholesale energy products. As the 
company is a participant in the wholesale 
energy market, the company’s Insider Rules 
apply to such energy-related inside information, 
as applicable.

The persons discharging managerial responsi-
bilities in Outokumpu, in the meaning of the 
Market Abuse Regulation, include members 
of the company’s Board of Directors, the 
CEO, and other members of the Outokumpu 
Leadership Team (“the Management”). The 
Management together with the persons or 
companies closely associated with a member 
of the Management constitutes the so called 

“Notifying Persons”. Outokumpu maintains a 
non-public list of the Notifying Persons.

Outokumpu applies a restricted period of thirty 
(30) calendar days before the announcement, 
as well the day of the announcement, of 
an interim financial report, interim financial 
statement and a year-end report (the “Closed 
Window”). During this period, the Management, 
the persons subject to trading restrictions and 
any legally incompetent persons under their 
custody shall not conduct any transactions, 
on his/her own account or for the account of 
a third party, directly or indirectly, relating to 
the company’s shares or debt instruments, or 
derivatives or other financial instruments linked 
thereto. Separate, non-public, project-specific 
insider registers are maintained for insider 
projects. Persons defined as project-specific 
insiders are those who, in the course of their 
duties in connection with a project, receive 
inside information concerning the Group which, 
if or when realized, is likely to have a significant 
effect on the value of the company’s publicly 
traded securities.

The company has the obligation to inform 
the public as soon as possible of inside 
information that directly concerns the company, 
unless the company has decided that the 
publication of the inside information shall be 
delayed, in accordance with the applicable 
insider regulations. The publication of inside 
information shall be made in accordance with 
the company’s Disclosure Policy.

Outokumpu’s Head of Legal and Compliance 
function is responsible for the coordination and 
supervision of insider topics.

Related Party Transactions
The Second Shareholders’ Rights Directive 
(EU), the International Accounting Standards 
IAS 24, the Companies Act and the Securities 
Markets Act as well as the Finnish Corporate 
Governance Code constitute the primary legal 
framework in the Related Party Transaction 
principles relevant to the Outokumpu Group 
and its related parties.

Definition of related parties 
and maintenance of the 
list of related parties

Outokumpu Oyj’s related parties are deter-
mined in accordance with the International 
Accounting Standards (IAS 24) and they 
include, i.a., the Group subsidiaries, members 
of the Parent Company’s Board of Directors 
and the Leadership Team as well as their 
related persons and companies. The Compa-
ny’s Legal and Compliance function maintains 
a non-public list of Outokumpu Oyj’s related 
parties, which is updated on a regular basis.

Evaluating Related Party Transactions

A related party transaction is any transaction 
which is conducted between the Outokumpu 
Group and a related party of Outokumpu 
Oyj. Transactions between a company and 
its related parties are allowed, provided that 
they promote the purpose and interests of the 
company and are commercially justified.

Any transactions that are not conducted 
in Outokumpu Group’s ordinary course of 
business or are not implemented under 
arms-length terms require specific approval 
according to Outokumpu Group’s Approval 
Policy. Any such transactions are escalated 

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Governance

for review on Group executive level and 
cross-checked against the list of related 
parties. Any related party transactions that are 
not conducted in Outokumpu Group’s ordinary 
course of business will require a decision by 
Outokumpu Oyj’s Board of Directors and a 
transaction which would be deemed material 
for Outokumpu Oyj’s shareholders will also 
have to be publicly disclosed. The decision 
making of the Board of Directors also takes 
provisions on conflicts of interest into account 
as board members cannot participate in 
deciding a matter concerning themselves. 
Board members also have a conflict of interest 
and cannot participate in decisions concerning 
a transaction with one of their related parties 
if that transaction is not part of the company’s 
ordinary course of business or is not imple-
mented under arms-length terms.

Monitoring and Reporting 
Related Party Transactions

Outokumpu Oyj’s Audit Committee monitors 
the evaluation process. Related party trans-
actions are reported to the Audit Committee 
on a regular basis. Outokumpu Oyj’s finance 
and control functions monitor related party 
transactions regularly in arrears as a part of 
the company’s reporting and control proce-
dures. Information on transactions concluded 
between the company and its related parties is 
disclosed annually in the company’s consoli-
dated financial statement.

Auditors
Under its Articles of Association, the company 
shall have a minimum of one and a maximum 
of two auditors. The auditors must be Autho-
rized Public Accountants (KHT) or accounting 

17 / 26

Corporate Governance statementindependent of the company being audited. 
The PwC Network Independence policy is based 
on the International Ethics Standards Board 
for Accountants’ (IESBA) Code of Ethics for 
Professional Accountants.

Outokumpu’s Board Audit Committee 
continuously monitored the non-audit services 
purchased by the Group from Pricewater-
houseCoopers at the global level. In 2020, 
the auditors were paid fees totaling EUR 2.0 
million, of which the non-auditing services 
accounted for EUR 0.1 million. 

firms whose mainly responsible auditors are 
Authorized Public Accountants (KHT). The 
auditors shall be independent of the company.

The Board of Directors has the duty to make 
a proposal to the Annual General Meeting as 
to the election and fees of the auditor. The 
Annual General Meeting elects the auditors 
for a term of office ending at the close of the 
next Annual General Meeting. A proposal to 
the Annual General Meeting on the election 
of auditors that has been made known to the 
Board of Directors prior to the Annual General 
Meeting will be made public if it is supported 
by shareholders holding a minimum of 10% 
of all the company’s shares and voting rights 
and the person or company proposed has 
consented to such nomination.

The company’s auditors submit the statutory 
auditor’s report to the company’s shareholders 
in connection with the company’s financial 
statements. The auditors also report their 
findings to the Board Audit Committee on a 
regular basis and at least once a year to the 
full Board of Directors. The parent company, 
Outokumpu Oyj, is audited by Pricewaterhouse-
Coopers Oy, and the responsible auditor is 
Janne Rajalahti, Authorized Public Accountant. 
PricewaterhouseCoopers Oy is also responsible 
for overseeing and coordinating the auditing of 
all Group companies.

PricewaterhouseCoopers Oy was elected 
as the Group Auditor in the Annual General 
Meeting held on May 28, 2020 and has 
been the Auditor of Outokumpu for four 
consecutive terms. Both Outokumpu and 
Pricewaterhouse Coopers Oy emphasize the 
requirement stipulating that the auditor be 

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Governance

18 / 26

Corporate Governance statementKey risks

Strategic and 
business risks

Risks related to Outokumpu’s 
business priorities and targets
Outokumpu’s new vision is to be customer’s 
first choice in sustainable stainless Outokum-
pu’s new strategy is built on clear timebound 
initiatives and targets to competitively position 
itself for the future by strengthening its balance 
sheet in the shorter term and by de-risking 
the company for strong returns in the long run. 
Outokumpu’s strategy defines The Outokumpu 
Ways of Working:

We operate safely, always

We work safely, comply with our cardinal 
safety rules, assess potential risks and take 
appropriate measures to mitigate them.

We leverage the power of 
one Outokumpu

We work together, share and combine our 
knowledge across functions and regions to 
create best value for our customers.

We deliver

We live up to our promises with clear roles and 
clear accountabilities. We have a passion for 
continuous improvement.

We grow people and value diversity

We foster diversity and create a work 
environment that allows all team members to 
contribute and to develop.

We act sustainably

We are driven by creating sustainable impact, 
environmentally, socially and economically.

We are a trusted partner

We are a reliable and trusted partner towards 
all our stakeholders, our customers, employees, 
investors and the communities we operate in.

Outokumpu’s current expectations regarding 
the outcome of the strategy and ways of 
working are based on a number of assump-
tions that are subject to various risks and 
uncertainties.

Stainless steel industry 
and markets
Outokumpu believes that the long-term 
prospects for stainless steel demand remain 
firmly positive. Global megatrends including 
population growth, urbanization, increasing 
mobility and climate change will drive the need 
for sustainable materials. There is a possibility 
that such megatrends will realize more slowly 
than expected and that the occurrence 
of natural catastrophes or other adverse 
changes in the global political and economic 
environment can impact the stainless steel 
industry, thereby reducing growth prospects 
in Outokumpu’s core markets. Nonetheless, 
demand in Outokumpu’s main regions and 
customer segments is expected to be robust 
and will continue to support long-term growth. 

The risk of global overcapacity in stainless 
steel has the potential to further disrupt 
industry economics. The commissioning of new 
export-driven capacity in Asia, particularly in 
China and Indonesia, has created a regional 
demand imbalance. This results in a risk of 
adverse trade flows to Outokumpu’s core 
markets, which when further coupled with 
trade protectionist measures, can distort the 

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Governance

stainless steel market. Given the global nature 
of its operations Outokumpu has significant 
exposure to the effects of trade actions and 
barriers which create a risk to market access, 
continued growth and stable profitability. 

The implementation of additional tariffs on 
imports of aluminium and steel under Section 
232 of the 1962 Trade Expansion Act by the 
United States of America originally in 2018 
has disrupted both the US and the European 
stainless steel markets. The European 
Commission’s imposition of provisional safe-
guard measures on steel imports, consisting 
of a tariff-rate quota system, first in July, 2018 
has only been partially successful in mitigating 
the risks. Definitive measures became effective 
in February 2019, which were expected to 
support the restoration of traditional market 
supply levels and reduce the profitability 
risk. These measures were further enforced 
in October as European market continued to 
suffer of Asian imports. While the markets 
remained unbalanced and difficult in end of 
2019, Outokumpu expects that the market 
should get more balanced as import quotas 
get filled and earlier announced anti-dumping 
and countervailing duties investigations against 
China, Indonesia and Taiwan by the European 
Commission should ease the market pressure. 
Quotas are set to expire in June 2021. 
Outokumpu’s current expectations regarding 
the market trends are based on assumptions 
and expectations that are subject to various 
risks and uncertainties. 

With increasing global demand for stainless 
steel, Outokumpu expects global demand for 
ferrochrome, a key ingredient in stainless steel 
production, to increase correspondingly. From 

19 / 26

Key risksits cost competitive chromite mine in Kemi 
and ferrochrome production facilities in Tornio, 
Outokumpu supplies a significant amount of 
ferrochrome to its own stainless steel opera-
tions. As a result, Outokumpu is well placed 
to maintain high utilization rates and support 
the group’s growth and profitability. Risks 
resulting from its production of ferrochrome are 
typical operational risks and uncertainties that 
may cause significant financial impacts due 
to the costs for power and coke, production 
downtimes and business interruptions. Risks 
associated with its external sales of chromite 
and ferrochrome include COVID-19 causing 
uncertain demand impacts, market price of 
chromium impacted by ore export tax intro-
duced in South Africa, and foreign exchange 
rates, particularly the US dollar. 

Raw materials, supplies, 
and energy
Outokumpu is exposed to price changes of 
alloy metals in multiple ways. The underlying 
exposure consists of price fixed purchase 
contracts; price fixed sales contracts and 
physical stocks of priced inventories of nickel, 
molybdenum, carbon steel and stainless steel 
scrap as well as various grades and forms of 
stainless steel. Price changes of alloy metals 
lead to impacts on earnings, cash flows, and 
balance sheet structure. 

Pricing systems are applied in many markets 
and may cause volatility in demand of stainless 
steel. A possible adverse consequence of 
volatility in demand is the negative impact 
on capacity utilization ratios. In addition, the 
monetary value of discounts in purchasing 
(e.g. in connection with purchases of stainless 

steel scrap) depends on the level of alloy 
metal prices. Therefore, the price levels of alloy 
metals have long-term impacts on profitability. 

Stainless steel production requires substantial 
amounts of certain raw materials, primarily 
nickel, recycled stainless steel, ferrochrome, 
molybdenum, recycled carbon steel as well 
as energy and other supplies. Most of these 
are subject to significant price volatility due 
to fluctuating customer demand, speculation, 
and scarcity, which may, from time to time, 
be compounded by decreases in extraction 
and production due to natural disasters, the 
COVID-19 pandemic, and political or financial 
instability or unrest. 

Increases in the prices of certain raw materials, 
such as nickel, ferrochrome, molybdenum, and 
iron, are generally passed on to customers 
through alloy surcharges. Outokumpu has 
hedged part of its exposure to changing 
nickel prices. Although the alloy surcharge 
mechanism is intended to allow stainless 
steel producers to pass on the costs of raw 
materials to customers, it does not eliminate 
Outokumpu’s exposure to raw material price 
volatility. Financial risks related to raw mate-
rials and energy prices are described in note 
19 to the consolidated financial statements. 

In addition, the production of stainless steel 
products and ferrochrome requires significant 
amounts of energy, particularly electricity, 
natural gas, and to a lesser extent, propane 
and fuel oil. Energy costs represent a substan-
tial portion of Outokumpu’s total cost of sales 
and energy prices have historically varied, and 
may continue to vary significantly, as a result 

of political and economic factors beyond 
Outokumpu’s control. 

Legal risks
In connection with its business activities 
Outokumpu may become subject to various 
legal claims and litigations. In addition to 
legal claims resulting from Outokumpu’s daily 
business, Outokumpu is also exposed to typical 
litigation risks in connection with mergers and 
acquisitions. For further information on existing 
major litigations, please see note 30 to the 
financial statements.

Outokumpu’s products are used in a wide 
range of applications. For instance, certain 
products are used in safety-critical applications 
in the oil, gas, chemical, and petrochemical 
industries. In addition, a part of Outokumpu’s 
products are used in the automotive and avia-
tion industries, where key customers require 
extensive third-party certification regarding the 
products purchased. Therefore, Outokumpu 
is exposed to product quality related liability 
claims. Such claims may result in severe 
damages, impacting Outokumpu’s profitability. 
Outokumpu manages and mitigates its legal 
risks by running internal processes as well as 
governance and compliance programs and 
policies, some of which extending beyond the 
local minimum legal requirements. 

Risks related to 
environmental regulation
The European Union’s unilateral Emission 
Trading System (ETS) presents a risk for 
Outokumpu, indirectly in electricity prices 
and directly in emission allowance costs. 
Outokumpu’s European units cannot transfer 

these costs to product prices due to global 
competition. However, Outokumpu has secured 
part of its future electricity supply – and 
the associated prices – through long-term 
contracts. Furthermore, Outokumpu is 
participating in two nuclear power projects in 
Finland.

Outokumpu operates in accordance with the 
prevailing laws and regulations, including 
environmental, chemical, and product safety 
legislation. The EU Chemicals Strategy for 
Sustainability is a risk to market for many 
metals and alloys as the target is to ban all 
use of “substances of concern” in European 
industry and consumer goods. The approach 
is based on intrinsic hazard rather than risk. 
This can hamper the market of metal products, 
recycling of products and materials as well as 
the use of by-products. Strict compliance with 
all environmental regulations could increase 
costs and impact Outokumpu’s competitive 
position. Outokumpu mitigates these impacts 
through the systematic identification and 
management of environmental, chemical, 
and product safety risks, through emission 
trading, and by maintaining a proactive dialog 
with stakeholders involved in the framing of 
environmental legislation. 

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Governance

20 / 26

Key risksOperational risks

Major disasters and 
business interruptions
Outokumpu’s production processes are 
dependent on the continuous operation 
of critical production equipment, including 
smelters, furnaces, continuous casters, rolling 
mills, and electrical equipment, e.g. electric 
motors and transformers, and production 
downtime may occur as a result of unexpected 
mechanical failures. Operations may also 
be disrupted for a variety of other reasons, 
including fire, explosion, flooding, release 
of harmful substances to the environment 
or health, failures in information technology, 
strikes, or transportation disruptions. 

Furthermore, accidents may lead to production 
downtimes that affect specific items of 
machinery or production plants, or possibly 
result in plant closures, including closure for 
the duration of any ongoing investigation. This 
type of disruption may cause significant busi-
ness interruptions and have a negative impact 
on Outokumpu’s profitability. Primarily because 
of the high temperatures required for produc-
tion, fire is a significant risk for Outokumpu. 
Most of the production facilities are located in 
extensive industrial zones and a fire could lead 
to major damage to property and interruptions 
in production. Extreme weather conditions and 
natural disasters may also affect Outokumpu’s 
operations, especially as a result of damage 
to property or the loss of production through 
extremely low temperatures, flooding, hurricane, 
tornado, or drought. Outokumpu monitors such 
risks by continuously evaluating its production 
facilities and production processes from a risk 
management perspective and also by arranging 
regular fire-safety and loss prevention surveys. 

Insurance covers a large proportion of the 
associated risks. 

Environmental accidents
The main environmental accident risks 
at production sites relate to use of acids, 
hazardous waste, gases, landfill activities, 
gradually developing pollution and long-term 
contamination of soil or groundwater or effects 
of hazardous pollutants. Outokumpu also has 
environmental liabilities and risks at closed 
mines and sites. Certified environmental 
management systems are in place at all 
production sites to manage the environmental 
accident risks in a systematic way, including 
external environmental audits. In addition, 
Outokumpu has an internal environmental 
auditing program to monitor and ensure local 
legal compliance and the level of environ-
mental risk management. 

Project risks
Outokumpu has (through a holding company 
Voimaosakeyhtiö SF) committed to a 14% 
stake in Fennovoima Oy, which has a 
parliamentary decision-in-principle to construct 
a new nuclear power plant in Pyhäjoki, Finland. 
The company has selected Rosatom Overseas 
CJSC as the plant supplier. Fennovoima Oy 
submitted a construction license application 
to the government in June 2015 and originally 
expected to receive the construction license by 
the end of 2021. However, that is now highly 
unlikely. The original Fennovoima plans that 
commercial operation of the plant would begin 
in 2028 is also highly unlikely as the project 
continues to progress slowly. The project 
involves several risks for Outokumpu, including 
project completion risks such as continued 

delays, cancellations, non-completion, tech-
nical risks, possible tightening nuclear safety 
regulations, and financial risks such as budget 
overruns, non-competitive cost of power, 
financing risks, cost and availability of the 
financing, fair value of shareholding, political 
and public acceptance risks, and environ-
mental risks. When operational, shareholders 
will be liable for their pro rata share of the 
company’s fixed energy procurement costs 
and the right to procure their pro rata share 
of the energy produced by the company at 
cost (the “Mankala principle”). Considering the 
risks involved in the project, there can be no 
assurance that one or more of the project risks 
will not occur or that Fennovoima Oy will have 
adequate financing for the project in the event 
of any future defaults by the direct or indirect 
shareholders in Fennovoima Oy. 

Outokumpu also faces project risks related 
to other ongoing investments in the Kemi 
mine expansion and the digital transformation 
project Chorus, which focuses on harmonizing 
business processes, including the ERP renewal. 
These and other ongoing investments and 
projects include similar project risks which 
Outokumpu manages through its project 
management process.

IT dependency and 
cyber security risks
Outokumpu relies on various applications 
and other information technologies that are 
used globally in all business areas and group 
functions. Many of these applications and 
underlying infrastructure are outdated, making 
them more vulnerable to failure, and could 
result in business interruptions, for example, in 

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Governance

21 / 26

Key risksthe production and supply chain processes. In 
addition, the enterprise architecture is complex, 
and the large number of different and unharmo-
nized information systems increases the risk of 
loss of critical applications. Furthermore, cyber 
threats and other security threats could exploit 
possible weaknesses in Outokumpu’s security 
controls, which in turn could cause leaks of 
sensitive information, theft of intellectual 
property, production outages, or damage to 
 Outokumpu’s reputation. 

Outokumpu is taking necessary steps to ensure 
that the IT systems, solutions and processes 
are efficient and reliable, and also aims to 
ensure secure information management and 
continuity at all company locations to avoid 
data loss or situations in which business 
critical information becomes unavailable. 
Moreover, Outokumpu has improved its cyber 
readiness in order to prevent possible cyber 
attacks, by running and initiating various 
security development activities based on 
the detailed cyber threat and risk exposure 
analyses. 

Outokumpu continued the business transforma-
tion program to harmonize its enterprise level 
data, processes, and IT systems as well as to 
develop or enhance business capabilities. 

Safety and personnel
Outokumpu has set its safety vision and 
principles at a high level. Safety takes priority 
over all other activities. All Outokumpu 
employees are responsible for their own safety, 
but also for the safety of their colleagues. 
Outokumpu strongly believes that all injuries 
can be prevented and the target is zero 
accidents. Furthermore, as a part of its 

strategy, Outokumpu has introduced ways of 
working to reach its short-term targets, safety 
being one of them, aiming at fully implemented, 
a standardized and disciplined approach to 
safety that correlates with improved quality 
and operational efficiency, striving to be an 
industry leader. 

Despite the ongoing efforts and actions, a 
serious incident or fatal accident may occur 
during working hours to Outokumpu employees 
or contractors. Outokumpu considers the 
risk of fatalities and serious injuries having a 
significant impact on its safety culture and 
its reputation as an employer. Moreover, 
Outokumpu believes that great focus and the 
systematic development of safety performance 
and safety culture will have a positive impact 
on operational performance and discipline. 
Improving the safety performance through 
driving the full implementation of our company 
standards and processes, with a focus on risk 
assessments and risk reduction plans in place 
on all sites in addition to implementation plans 
for other major company safety standards. 

In the current situation of the COVID-19 
pandemic the safety function and operational 
teams have collaborated to create safety, 
hygiene and distancing rules and practices to 
look after the health of our employees, prevent 
the spread of the virus in the workplace and 
allow us to maintain production.

Outokumpu’s ability to continue and grow 
its business as well as provide high-quality 
products depends, to a large extent, on the 
contributions made by its key personnel. The 
loss of key individuals or other employees who 
have specific knowledge of, or relationships 

with, trade customers in markets in which 
Outokumpu operates could have significant 
impacts on Outokumpu’s business. If Outo-
kumpu is unable to attract, retain, motivate, 
train, and develop qualified employees at all 
levels, it could have a material adverse effect 
on Outokumpu’s business, financial condition 
and results of operations. There can be no 
assurance that Outokumpu will be able to 
retain such senior managers and other key 
employees. Outokumpu has implemented 
processes to attract and retain key employees 
in the Group. Implementation of leadership 
development programs and succession 
planning for key positions in the Group are also 
undertaken as part of the talent review process 
to maintain development opportunities and 
to ensure an adequate pipeline of talent to 
mitigate the potential loss of senior leaders. 

Compliance, crime, and 
reputational harm
Outokumpu operates globally and its activities 
span multiple jurisdictions and complex 
regulatory frameworks at a time of increased 
enforcement activity and enforcement 
initiatives globally in areas such as competition 
law, anti-corruption and bribery, anti-money 
laundering, data protection (including EU 
GDPR compliance) and trade restrictions, 
including sanctions. Outokumpu’s governance 
and compliance processes may not prevent 
breaches of law or governance standards. 
Outokumpu also faces the risk of fraud by its 
employees, losses of critical research and 
development data, misconduct as well as 
violations by its sales intermediaries or at its 
joint ventures and other companies in which 
it has an interest, particularly if it only has a 

minority stake and does not control accounting 
or other rules and protocols for the conduct of 
business. 

Outokumpu’s failure to comply with the appli-
cable laws and other standards could subject it 
to fines, loss of operating licenses, loss of busi-
ness, loss of management time and company 
focus, breach of its financing agreements, and 
reputational harm. Effective internal controls 
are necessary for Outokumpu to provide 
reliable financial reports and effectively prevent 
and detect fraud. If Outokumpu cannot provide 
reliable financial reports or prevent fraud, this 
could have a material adverse effect on its 
financial results. Additionally, at the operational 
level, individual employees may not comply 
with Outokumpu’s statements, policies, 
instructions and guidelines and, as a result, 
may incur compliance costs (including fines) 
and cause reputational damage. Inadequate 
internal controls could also cause investors 
and other third parties to lose confidence in 
Outokumpu’s reported financial information 
and risk management processes, which could 
have a material adverse effect on Outokumpu’s 
business, financial condition and results of 
operations. Outokumpu’s compliance program 
aims to prevent and mitigate compliance risks 
from occurring and is developed continuously. 
The compliance risk assessment forms the 
basis for the compliance action plan for the 
forthcoming year. 

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Governance

22 / 26

Key risksSustainability 
and Corporate 
responsibility risks

Financial risks

Key current financial risks for Outokumpu are:

•  Changes in the prices of nickel, iron, 

molybdenum, electrical power, and fuels;

•  Currency developments affecting the euro, 
the US dollar, the Swedish krona, and the 
British pound;

•  Interest rate changes connected with the 
euro, the Swedish krona and the US dollar;

•  Changes in levels of credit margins applied 

for Outokumpu;

•  Risk related to prices of equities and 

fixed-income securities invested e.g. under 
defined benefit pension plans;

•  Counterparty risk related to customers and 
other business partners, including financial 
institutions;

•  Risks related to liquidity and refinancing;

•  Breach of financial covenants or other terms 

and conditions leading to default;

•  Changes in fair value of equity investments 

in energy production.

The financial risks listed above and related 
processes for risk management are described 
in further detail in note 19 to the consolidated 
financial statements.

Outokumpu has also identified its exposures in 
sustainability and corporate responsibility. 

Protecting the climate

Climate change is one of the most urgent 
challenges the world is facing today. Outo-
kumpu aims to protect the climate with our 
sustainable stainless steel. We are developing 
our operations to reach carbon neutrality by 
2050. We are already on track to meet our 
short-term target of reducing our emissions 
by 20% by 2023. We work closely with our 
customers to help them develop solutions that 
further decrease their carbon footprint and 
reduce burden on climate.

Environmental impacts

Protecting the environment in the locations 
where we operate is our highest priority and 
a part of our licence to operate. We have 
made significant investments in environmental 
protection over the past years and we will 
continue to develop our processes even further. 
We aim to have a minimal impact on nature 
and biodiversity.

People and society

Outokumpu is deeply connected to the wider 
society through our employees, contractors, 
investors, local communities and other 
stakeholders. The safety and wellbeing of 
our employees is our highest priority and we 
conduct our business with the highest ethical 
standards. We also contribute to the wellbeing 
of communities through our economic impact.

Circular economy

Outokumpu uses high amounts of recycled 
materials. Stainless steel is endlessly recy-

clable without any loss in quality. It is also the 
most efficient way to reduce the environmental 
impact of production processes enabling us 
to produce sustainable stainless steel. So, we 
continuously aim for higher recycling rates in 
our operations. Currently, Outokumpu’s rate of 
recycled content is the highest in the industry, 
over 90%.

Traceability and responsibility 
throughout the supply chain

Outokumpu is a part of a global supply chain 
by producing stainless steel for leading brands 
and demanding industries around the globe. 
Our customers expect us to provide a traceable 
supply chain and, therefore, we have in place 
stringent requirements on our suppliers, too.

Outokumpu is strongly committed to legal 
compliance and an ethical way of conducting 
business. Outokumpu’s Code of Conduct sets 
out these ethical standards and provides 
guidelines for a common way of working. All 
suppliers and subcontractors must comply with 
our Code of Conduct or similar standards and 
meet our supplier requirements. Outokumpu 
monitors its suppliers closely through self- 
assessment, screenings and audits.

Safety is one of the cornerstones in 
 Outokumpu’s strategy and ensuring the safety 
and good health of our employees is the first 
priority. In addition, Outokumpu takes all labor 
practice violations and related threats as well 
as its full transparency and compliance in 
Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) 
topics seriously. 

Additional information is available on  
Outokumpu’s website. 

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Governance

23 / 26

Key risksShares and shareholders

Shares and share capital
Outokumpu’s shares are listed on the Nasdaq 
Helsinki Large Cap list under the trading code 
OUT1V and are incorporated into the Finnish 
book-entry securities system. The total share 
capital was EUR 311 million at the end of 
the year 2020. All shares in Outokumpu carry 
equal voting and dividend rights. 

On December 31, 2020, the total number 
of Outokumpu shares was 416,374,448. 
On December 31, 2020, Outokumpu held 
4,372,236 of treasury shares (Dec 31, 2019: 
4,599,733).

Outokumpu in the capital markets
Outokumpu continued the regular and active 
communication with investors and analysts in 
2020. Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, 
almost all meetings and roadshows were virtual 
as well as the Capital Markets Day, which was 
arranged in March.

Key topics in the investor discussions were 
the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on 
Outokumpu, Asian imports and trade defence 
measures, balance sheet, the Americas’ 
performance, sustainability and the new 
strategy, which was published in November.

Outokumpu held its Annual General Meeting 
in Helsinki, Finland, in May under special 
arrangements due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 
During 2020 Outokumpu arranged nine 
roadshows in Europe and in the US. The 
company also met investors at three virtual 
industry seminars. In total, 116 one-on-one 

Principal shareholders on December 31, 2020

Solidium Oy
Ilmarinen Mutual Pension Insurance Company
The Social Insurance Institution of Finland
State Pension Fund
Varma Mutual Pension Insurance Company
Elo Mutual Pension Insurance Company
Mandatum Life
Nordea Life Assurance Finland Ltd. 
Tutkimuksen vaikuttavuuden tukisäätiö sr
Merivirta Jyri Tapio
Keva
OP Life Assurance Company Ltd.
OP-Finland Small Firms Fund
Virala Oy Ab
Belgrano Inversiones Oy

Nominee accounts held by custodian banks
Treasury Shares
Other Shareholders
Total

Shares

90,324,385
11,450,000
9,298,652
6,827,142
5,453,112
5,210,988
3,698,266
2,968,677
2,820,000
2,000,000
1,765,000
1,531,208
1,427,691
1,350,000
1,350,000
147,475,121

%

21.69
2.75
2.23
1.64
1.31
1.25
0.89
0.71
0.68
0.48
0.42
0.37
0.34
0.32
0.32
35 .40

83,374,696
4,372,236
181,152,395
416,374,448

20.02
1.05
43.53
100 .00

Shareholders by group on December 31, 2020

●  Nominee registered and non-Finnish holders 21%
●  Finnish institutions, companies and foundations 24%
●  Solidium Oy 1) 22%
●  Households 33%

1) Solidium Oy is wholly owned by the Finnish state

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Governance

24 / 26

Shares and shareholders

meetings and conference calls were held with 
investors in 2020.

International shareholders held 20.7% of the 
total shares at the end of December 2020 
compared to 22.0% at the end of the previous 
year. 

The largest Finnish shareholder Solidium Oy 
held 21.7% of Outokumpu shares. The share 
of Finnish households and private persons 
increased from 31.1% in 2019 to 33.5% at 
the end of 2020.

Share price development 
and market capitalization
During 2020, Outokumpu’s share was EUR 
4.44 at its highest and EUR 2.08 at its lowest 
(2019 high/low: EUR 4.04 / EUR 2.23). At 
the end of the year the share price closed at 
EUR 3.22, marking an increase of 14.75% 
from the closing price of EUR 2.81 at the end 
of 2019. At the end of 2020, the company’s 
market capitalization was EUR 1,341 million, 
compared to EUR 1,168 million at the 
previous year’s end. 

In 2020, the average daily trading volume in 
Outokumpu shares on Nasdaq Helsinki was 
4.4 million shares. In total, 1,101 million 
Outokumpu shares were traded on Nasdaq 
Helsinki during 2020, representing a value of 
EUR 5,325 million (2019: 884 million shares, 
which corresponded to EUR 5,325 million). 

In addition to Nasdaq Helsinki, Outokumpu’s 
shares are traded also on various alternative 
trading platforms. 

Market capitalization and share price development

Monthly trading volume, million shares

€ million

4,000

3,000

2,000

1,000

0

10

8

6

4

2

0

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

● Month-end market capitalization, € million 
Source: Nasdaq

 Share price, €/share

Includes trading on Nasdaq Helsinki. 
Source: Nasdaq

Outokumpu share price development in 2020, %

Dividend/share, €

Dec 30, 2019 = 100

160

140

120

100

80

60

40

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

 Outokumpu
 Nasdaq Helsinki

2020 is a proposal by the Board of Directors.

150

120

90

60

30

0

0.25

0.20

0.15

0.10

0.05

0.00

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Governance

25 / 26

General Meeting has to be registered into 
the temporary shareholders’ register by the 
account management organization of the 
custodian bank latest by the time stated above. 
In addition, the account management orga-
nization of the custodian bank shall arrange 
advance voting on behalf of the holders of 
nominee registered shares by the end of the 
registration date above.

A complete notice to the Annual General 
Meeting and information on the voting, making 
counterproposals and presenting question 
is available at Outokumpu’s Annual General 
Meeting website.

Payment of the dividend
The Board of Directors is proposing to the 
Annual General Meeting to be held on March 
31, 2021 that no dividend will be paid for 
2020 as in the challenging market environment 
improving the Company’s financial position 
continues to be of highest priority. 

Information for shareholders

Annual General Meeting 2021
Notice is given to the shareholders of 
Outokumpu Oyj to the Annual General Meeting 
to be held on Wednesday, March 31, 2021 
at 1.00 pm EET at the company’s head office 
at Salmisaarenranta 11, Helsinki, Finland. 
Shareholders of the company and their proxy 
representatives may participate in the meeting 
and exercise their rights as shareholders only 
by voting in advance and by making counterpro-
posals and presenting questions in advance in 
accordance with instructions in the notice and 
otherwise by the company. In order to prevent 
the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is not 
possible to attend the meeting in person.

Each shareholder, who is registered on the 
record date March 19, 2021 in Outokumpu’s 
shareholder register held by Euroclear Finland 
Oy, has the right to participate in the Annual 
General Meeting. A shareholder, whose shares 
are registered on his/her personal Finnish 
book-entry account, is automatically shown in 
the shareholder register.

Registration for the meeting and advance 
voting will begin on March 10, 2021 at 
12.00, following the deadline for submitting 
counterproposals to be placed for a vote. 
A shareholder, who is registered in the 
shareholders’ register of the company and 
who wants to participate in the Annual General 
Meeting, must register for the Meeting and 
vote in advance no later than March 25, 2021 
by 4.00 pm EET by which time the registration 
and votes need to be received. 

A shareholder, who has a personal Finnish 
book-entry account, may register and vote in 
advance on certain items on the agenda of the 

Annual General Meeting from March 10, 2021 
12.00 until 4.00 pm EET on March 25, 2021  
a) at Outokumpu’s Annual General Meeting 
website or  
b) by mail to Innovatics Oy, Yhtiökokous/ 
Outokumpu Oyj, Ratamestarinkatu 13 A, 
00520 Helsinki or by email to  
agm.outokumpu@innovatics.fi. 

If the shareholder participates in the meeting 
by sending the votes in advance by mail or 
email to Innovatics Oy before the end of the 
registration and advance voting period, this 
constitutes registration for the Annual General 
Meeting, provided that the shareholder 
information required for registration is provided.

A holder of nominee registered shares has 
the right to participate in the Annual General 
Meeting by virtue of such shares, based on 
which he/she on the record date of the Annual 
General Meeting, March 19, 2021, would be 
entitled to be registered in the shareholders’ 
register of the Company held by Euroclear 
Finland Oy. Participation in the meeting 
also requires that the shareholder has been 
registered into the temporary shareholders’ 
register held by Euroclear Finland Oy at the 
latest by March 26, 2021 by 10.00 am EET. 
This constitutes due registration for the Annual 
General Meeting.

A holder of nominee registered shares is 
advised to early enough request the necessary 
instructions regarding the registration in 
the temporary shareholders’ register, the 
issuing of proxy documents and registration 
for the Annual General Meeting from his/her 
custodian bank. A holder of nominee-registered 
shares who wants to participate in the Annual 

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Governance

26 / 26

Remuneration 
Report 2020

Remuneration Report 2020

Dear shareholder,

On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to 
present Outokumpu’s Remuneration Report for 
2020, following the guidelines of the Corporate 
Governance Code 2020.

The report presents the remuneration paid or 
due to the Board members and the President 
and Chief Executive Officer for year 2020. The 
materialized remuneration is in line with the 
Remuneration Policy of the Governing Bodies 
of Outokumpu approved at the Annual General 
Meeting 2020. The report also reflects the 
targets outlined in the Remuneration Policy. 

Our Remuneration Policy aims to translate 
our cultural heritage into a remuneration 
framework that attracts and retains people, 
who fit the business culture and deliver talent, 
international experience and attitude that 
match our long-term business ambitions. 

Following this target, the remuneration 
of Outokumpu’s Board members in 2020 
compensated for their time commitment, 

knowledge and required experience to 
contribute to the Board’s work, as well as 
the level of responsibility that they bear. It 
enabled attracting and retaining high caliber 
Board members with the experience and skills 
necessary in a company and business of this 
size and complexity, thus contributing to the 
long-term financial performance and success of 
the company.

Similarly, the CEO remuneration in 2020 was 
in line with our compensation philosophy 
which includes shareholder value creation as 
the underlying focus of the reward strategy, 
business strategy aligned incentives, pay for 
performance and competitive remuneration. For 
year 2020, the CEO received market compet-
itive base pay but no incentive payment. This 
reflects the below target financial performance, 
due to the challenging market situation with 
continuing high import pressure in Europe and 
the COVID-19 pandemic impacting the global 
economy. 

Going forward, we will continue to review and 
refine our remuneration arrangements to 
ensure they deliver on our goals, accounting 
for the everchanging business environment, 
legislative changes and well as your opinion as 
a shareholder.

The table below gives further insight in how 
the development of the Board member fees 
and CEO remuneration compares to the 
development of the average remuneration 
of employees and to Outokumpu’s financial 
development over the last five years. 

Kari Jordan 
Chairman of the Board of Directors

Development of remuneration and financial development over the past five years

Board of Directors 1), €
President and CEO 2), €
Employees’ average 3), € 
Adjusted EBITDA, € million

2020

658,400
1,264,729
53,637
250

2019

2018

2017

2016

705,800
2,534,480
53,922
263

576,200
2,705,913
52,159
485

617,315
4,104,317
54,554
631

763,000
3,578,465
53,293
309

1)  Total remuneration paid to the Board of Directors, including annual remuneration and meeting fees for all 

members.

2)  Total remuneration paid to the CEO, including salary, employee benefits and incentives, for Roeland Baan from 

2016 until May 15, 2020 and for Heikki Malinen from May 16, 2020.

3)  Personnel expenses without indirect employee costs and termination benefits, divided by the average number 

of employees during the year.

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Remuneration Report

28 / 31

RemunerationFees of the Board of Directors

Outokumpu’s Annual General Meeting 2020 
approved the following annual remuneration to 
be paid to the members of Outokumpu’s Board 
of Directors: EUR 163,000 for the Chairman of 
the Board, EUR 91,600 for the Vice Chairman 
and for the Chairman of the Board’s Audit 
Committee and EUR 71,100 for the other 
members of the Board. The Annual General 
Meeting 2020 decided that 40% of the annual 
remuneration will be paid in the company’s 
own shares using treasury shares or shares 

to be purchased from the market at a price 
formed in public trading and in accordance 
with the applicable insider regulations. The 
annual fee is paid once a year and members 
of the Board are not entitled to any other 
share-based rewards. In addition to their 
annual remuneration, all the members of the 
Board of Directors are paid a meeting fee of 
EUR 600 per meeting for each member of the 
Board of Directors and EUR 1,200 per meeting 

when travelling to a meeting held outside the 
Board member’s country of residence. 

The Board members are not entitled to other 
financial benefits and they are not as a main 
rule employed by the company or any company 
belonging to its group. Thus, the Board 
members are not eligible for any employment 
related salaries or pension schemes. The fees 
paid to the Board members are presented in 
the table below.

Remuneration and meeting fees of the Board of Directors in 2020 and 2019

€

Kari Jordan, Chairman
Eeva Sipilä, Vice Chairman2)
Kati ter Horst, Member
Vesa-Pekka Takala, Member
Pierre Vareille, Member
Julia Woodhouse, Member
Heikki Malinen, Vice Chairman3)
Olli Vaartimo, Vice Chairman4)
Total

Due based on 
2020
Meeting fees1)

Annual compensation

2020

Annual compensation

2019

Share portion

Cash portion

Meeting fees1)

Total

Share portion

Cash portion

Meeting fees1)

1,800
1,800
1,800
1,800
1,800
1,800
0
0
10,800

66,241
37,225
42,206
42,206
42,206
42,206
0
0

96,759
54,375
28,894
28,894
28,894
28,894
0
0

18,000
16,200
16,800
16,800
22,800
21,600
7,200
0

272,291

266,709

119,400

181,000
107,800
87,900
87,900
93,900
92,700
7,200
0 
658,400

64,645
36,360
28,280
28,280
28,280
28,280
36,360
0
250,485

95,355
53,640
41,720
41,720
41,720
41,720
53,640
0
369,515

12,600
9,000
10,200
7,200
20,400
10,800
12,600
3,000
85,800

1) Meeting fees have been entered in the table on the year when they have been paid and include also committee meeting fees.

2) Eeva Sipilä was elected as the new Vice Chairman of the Board at the Annual General Meeting 2020.

3) Heikki Malinen was Vice Chairman of the Board until April 30, 2020.

4) Olli Vaartimo was Vice Chairman of the Board until March 27, 2019.

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Remuneration Report

Total

172,600
99,000
80,200
77,200
90,400
80,800
102,600
3,000
705,800

29 / 31

RemunerationRemuneration of the CEO

The remuneration of the President and CEO 
consists of base salary, benefits, and an 
annually determined short-term incentive 
plan. In addition, the CEO participates in 
the long-term incentive arrangement of the 
company consisting of individual performance 
share plans. 

The Performance Share Plans are covered by 
the following share ownership requirement 
applied by Outokumpu Group: The members of 
Outokumpu’s Leadership Team, including the 
CEO, are obliged to own Outokumpu shares 
received under the company’s share-based 
incentive programs corresponding to the value 
of their annual gross base salary. Half (50%) of 
the net shares received from the share-based 
incentive programs must be used to fulfil the 
above ownership requirement. This requirement 
applied to CEO Baan as long as he continued 
in the company’s service. This requirement 
also applies to CEO Malinen.

CEO Malinen has the right to retire at the age 
of 65 and he participates in the Finnish TyEL 
pension system and there are no supple-
mentary pension plans in place. The service 
contract of the CEO is valid until further notice. 
The CEO is entitled to a severance payment of 
twelve (12) months, and the notice period is 
six (6) months for both parties.

The former CEO Baan had the right to retire at 
the age of 63 and participated in the Finnish 
TyEL pension system in addition to which he 
was included in a defined contribution pension 
plan with an annual insurance premium of 25% 
of his annual earnings, excluding share rewards. 
The contributions to the defined contribution 
pension plan amounted to EUR 281,344 in 
2020 (EUR 444,208 in 2019). The former 
CEO’s service contract was valid until further 
notice and he was not entitled to a severance 
payment. The notice period was three months 
for both parties.

Remuneration of the CEO paid in 2020 and 2019

€

Base salary and benefits
Short-term incentives 2)
Long-term incentives 3)
Share portion
Cash portion
Total remuneration
Share of fixed pay of total remuneration
Share of variable pay of total remuneration 

2020
Heikki Malinen1)

2020
Roeland Baan1)

2019
Roeland Baan

487,010
0
0
–
–
487,010
100%
0%

501,510
276,209
0
–
–
777,719
64%
36%

1,074,495
347,782
1,112,203
711,550
400,653
2,534,480
42%
58%

1)  Heikki Malinen was appointed as President and CEO as of May 16, 2020 until when Roeland Baan acted as 

the CEO. 

2)  Paid short-term incentives have been entered in the table on the year when they have been paid. They usually 

relate to the performance in the previous year.

3)  Long-term incentives are paid partly in shares and partly in cash, to cover for income taxes and other taxes 

arising from the reward. Shares were delivered on the following dates with respective prices: March 20, 2019 
(EUR 3.6102 per share) and December 20, 2019 (EUR 2.767 per share).

Remuneration of the CEO not yet paid but due based on the year 2020

€

Short-term incentives
Remuneration due based on the achievement of STI performance measures in 2020

Long-term incentives
Number of gross shares due based on the achievement of PSP 2018–2020 performance 
measures

2020
Heikki Malinen

0

0

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Remuneration Report

30 / 31

RemunerationThe CEO’s earning opportunity and performance measures in the short-term incentive plan

Earning opportunity 

Threshold
Target

Maximum
Performance measures in 2019 

Net debt
Strategic projects
Performance measures in 2020 
Group EBITDA
Strategic projects

Heikki Malinen

(% of gross annual base salary)

Roeland Baan

(% of gross annual base salary)

0.5%
50%

100%
Achievement

–
–
Achievement
Below threshold
Achieved

Weight

–
–
Weight
40%
60%

Payout

–
–
Payout 1)
0% of the target
0% of the target

Weight

40%
60%
Weight

–
–

0.6%
60%

120%
Achievement

Partly achieved
Partly achieved
Achievement

–
–

Payout

62% of the target
35% of the target
Payout

–
–

1)  If the achievement of the group EBITDA target (as included in the management plan) is below threshold, the total short-term incentive payout is decided by the Board of 

Directors. Therefore, the payout for different targets can in such cases be less than their actual achievement.

The CEO’s earning opportunity and performance measures in long-term incentive plans and grants in 2020

Performance Share Plan 2018–2020

Performance Share Plan 2019–2021

Performance Share Plan 2020–2022

Earning opportunity

Threshold 1) 2)
Target 1), 3)
Maximum 1), 4)
Grant 5)
Payout year
Performance measures

Performance criteria

Weight
Achievement

6%
11%
22%
21,500
2021

14%
28%
56%
48,500
2022

22%
44%
67%
130,451
2023

Return on operating capital compared  
to a peer group (Q4 2019–Q3 2020)
100%
Below threshold – no payout

Return on operating capital compared  
to a peer group (Q4 2020–Q3 2021)
100%
Performance period ongoing

Return on operating capital compared  
to a peer group (Q4 2021–Q3 2022)
100%
Performance period ongoing

1) Expressed in percentage of gross annual base salary at the time of the grant.

2)  The threshold is 50% of target in all PSP periods.

3)  The target of 50% of annual base salary is prorated to time in position during the performance period, i.e. 8/36 for PSP 2018–2020, 20/36 in PSP 2019–2021 and 

32/36 in PSP 2020–2022.

4)  The maximum is 200% of target in PSP 2018–2020 and PSP 2019–2021, while 150% of target in PSP 2020–2022.

5)  Number of gross shares at target level. The number of shares was determined using the share price at the time of plan approval, i.e. EUR 4.00 for PSP 2018–2020, EUR 

4.50 for PSP 2019–2021 and EUR 2.66 for PSP 2020–2022.

Outokumpu Annual report 2020  |  Remuneration Report

31 / 31

RemunerationWorking towards a world that lasts forever
We believe in a world that is efficient, sustainable, and designed to last 
forever. The world deserves innovations that can stand the test of time and 
are ready to be born again at the end of their life cycle. Stainless steel is 
vital in enabling a sustainable world with economic prosperity.

Outokumpu Oyj
Salmisaarenranta 11
FI-00180 Helsinki, Finland
Tel. +358 9 4211
corporate.comms@outokumpu.com
www.outokumpu.com

  @Outokumpu

  Outokumpu Group

  Outokumpu