Grundfos pumps up sustainability with Outokumpu Circle Green®

A partnership flowing with potential

For 80 years, Grundfos has been at the forefront of pump technology, producing around 15 million pumps annually for residential homes, commercial buildings, industries, and water utilities. From the circulator pump in a home heating system to industrial water management solutions, Grundfos products play a key role in tackling the global challenge of water scarcity.

Now, the Danish company is strengthening its commitment to sustainability by incorporating Circle Green into its manufacturing process. The first shipment of Circle Green steel arrived at Grundfos facilities in early 2025, with production using the low-emission material as the next step.

A swap with significant impact

Stainless steel is a critical component in Grundfos pumps, particularly for moving parts and components that are constantly coming into contact with water. These parts have to be super durable in order to keep everything working as it should.

By April 2025, Grundfos will have used up its stock of conventional stainless steel and will be fully transitioned to Circle Green, with Outokumpu delivering approximately 4,500 tonnes annually.

The company expects that by 2026, all new pumps entering the market will contain 100% Circle Green stainless steel.

Meeting internal and external demand

The switch has been driven by the ever-growing importance of sustainability. Not only will changing over to Circle Green help Grundfos meet its own climate targets, but it will also help it meet increasing market pressure for products with lower carbon footprint.

This shift is particularly evident in the built environment sector, where contractors and end-users are increasingly focused on the carbon footprint of products from cradle to gate – from raw material extraction to installation.

Leading the way to a low-emission future

Known for its strong commitment to sustainability, Grundfos sees this as a chance to lead the industry for driving the market for sustainable materials.

"Stainless steel is a key material in our pumps, so making the switch to Circle Green is a big deal for us,” says Thomas Schrøder, Climate Director at Grundfos.

“By using Outokumpu’s low-emission stainless steel, we’ve shown we’re serious about cutting the embedded emissions of our products. It’s not just about meeting our own sustainability targets; it’s about helping our customers reduce their impact too. We’ve worked closely with Outokumpu to make sure this transition makes sense both technically and commercially, and we’re really excited about what’s next.”

The partnership between Outokumpu and Grundfos therefore represents a significant step forward in sustainable manufacturing. As demand for low-emission products continues to grow, this collaboration demonstrates how industry leaders can work together to reduce emissions and build a more sustainable future – one pump at a time.

*) Global average carbon footprint of stainless steel (2024): 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.