New Chrome Tech Fuels Western Supply Chain

Europe's leading stainless steelmaker, Outokumpu, has pioneered a novel method for extracting chrome, a metal crucial for jet engines and gas turbines. This "sulphidation" process utilizes sulphur instead of coking coal to produce a purer form of chrome with virtually no emissions. The technology holds the potential to establish a self-sufficient Western supply chain for critical metals, lessening dependence on China's market dominance.

This innovative technique, developed with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, can reportedly be applied to other strategic metals like nickel, essential for electric vehicles and defense applications. Stefan Erdmann, Outokumpu's chief technology officer, emphasized the necessity for local material supplies for industries like defense in both Europe and the US. The company has invested $45 million since 2021, with a pilot plant scheduled to begin operations in 2027 and a commercial-scale facility targeted for completion by 2030 in either the US or Europe.

Outokumpu's process also addresses the Western world's broader efforts to secure critical metal supplies, a concern heightened by recent global events. The company anticipates profitability through the sale of byproducts, such as carbon monoxide, which will be used by Norsk e-Fuel to produce sustainable aviation fuel. Erdmann countered a prevailing European industrial sentiment, arguing that decarbonization can be profitable by leveraging byproduct sales and strategic partnerships.