Stylish kitchens meet sustainability as Stala goes for Outokumpu Circle Green®

For over 50 years, Stala has been all about Scandinavian design – making stainless steel sinks, countertops and patterned stainless steel products that are practical, simple, and built to last. Its products strike the perfect balance between technical craftsmanship and a minimalist style. But with growing concerns about climate change, Stala knows that beautiful and functional products are no longer enough.

So, Stala is weaving sustainability into everything it does. Now it’s using Outokumpu’s Circle Green, the world’s first towards zero stainless steel, a material designed to significantly reduce carbon emissions, to blend design expertise with sustainable materials. 

Taking steps toward carbon neutrality

Stala aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035 by using low-carbon materials, reducing waste, and designing durable products. The stainless steel used in its products is made of over 90% of recycled materials. The products themselves can be fully recycled at the end of their life. This “closed loop” process shows how Stala is part of the circular economy and prioritizes sustainable manufacturing. 

Circle Green is the next step to sustainable design 

“We chose Outokumpu Circle Green for kitchen interiors because it has the lowest carbon footprint compared to the global industry average,” says Pasi Härkönen, Managing Director at Stala. “It allows us to offer products with a significantly lower carbon footprint, aligning with our commitment to sustainability.”

Circle Green is not a new stainless steel grade, but rather a breakthrough in sustainability. Circle Green has the same mechanical properties, high quality and durability as our conventional stainless steel offering, but its production involves major efforts to cut emissions. 

This involves sourcing low-emission alloying elements and ferrochrome, maximizing recycled content, and using only low-carbon electricity for processes like the electric arc furnace (EAF). As a result, the carbon footprint of Circle Green is up to 93% lower than the global industry average*.

Built from a partnership that goes back decades

Stala’s use of Circle Green builds on a long-standing partnership with Outokumpu which dates back to when Stala was founded in 1972. In fact, the company’s name ‘Stala’ is a combination of the words ‘stainless’ and ‘Lahti,’ reflecting its roots in the city of Lahti, in Finland and the specialization in stainless steel. 

Over the decades, this collaboration, built on trust and shared values, has played a key part in Stala’s growth. 

For Stala, using Circle Green isn’t just about a new material in the manufacturing process – it’s a forward-looking effort to tackle global environmental challenges through teamwork and innovation.

Responding to market demand for sustainable products

Surveys and market insights from Stala show growing interest in products with transparent environmental credentials, particularly in their design. 

Changing consumer preferences, along with stricter regulations like the European Green Deal and Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), are pushing companies to take climate accountability seriously. And more environmentally aware customers are rewarding brands that prioritize sustainability.

By using Circle Green, Stala addresses these needs while strengthening its role in sustainable kitchen design and standing out in a highly competitive market. 

Transparent communication with customers 

Like Outokumpu, Stala openly shares its sustainability efforts and publishes detailed carbon footprint reports and third-party validations . Using Circle Green helps build this transparency with verifiable data and lifecycle calculations. 

“There’s a growing demand from consumers for low-emission products and more transparent information about sustainability claims,” Härkönen explains. “Consumers are increasingly aware of the environmental impact of their purchases and are seeking products that align with their values.”

Stala engages customers through dedicated web pages that illustrate its sustainability efforts, such as the journey of its main product group (Stala ONE) and the overarching responsibility initiatives (Stala’s Responsibility).

Contributing to a more sustainable future 

Using Circle Green is just the start. Stala’s also using wind power and CO2-free heating in its Finnish factory and biofuels in transportation. Meanwhile, they regularly recalculate the carbon footprint of products that have been redesigned to show its commitment to sustainability. Stala also aims for at least a 0.5% annual emissions reduction and plan to expand its use of renewable energy and recycled materials. 

Similarly to Outokumpu, this proactive approach reflects Stala’s goal to balance innovation with protecting the planet for future generations. “Moving forward, Circle Green will play a central role in this narrative, symbolizing our commitment to more sustainable solutions,” Härkönen concludes.

*) Global average CO₂ emissions (2023): 7 kg CO₂e per kg of stainless steel (Outokumpu’s calculation based on data provided by CRU, worldstainless and Kobolde & Partners AB). Outokumpu Circle Green CO₂ emissions: down to 0.5 kilos of CO₂e per kg of stainless steel.