Behind every policy target or market forecast lies a physical choice – which alloy, polymer or composite will carry the load or store the energy? The decision rarely makes headlines, but it is exactly where grand ambitions succeed or stall.

In a fast-changing world, stability, resilience and sustainability are valuable. Considering the costs of corrosion, geopolitical uncertainties and the growth of strategic industries, material choices are how we can rise to meet the biggest challenges of our time.

This whitepaper examines the shift in demand for long-lasting materials, and the lifelong impact stainless steel can have across industries.

Corrosion comes with an enormous cost – both financial and climate

Corrosion is a natural process that degrades materials, mostly metals, when they react with their environment. It’s more than just a rusty bicycle or patio furniture – it’s a force of nature that will impact essential resources and critical infrastructure.

The direct financial cost of corrosion is about 3.4% of the world’s GDP, amounting to around US$2.5 trillion annually. The climate impact is also significant: replacing corroded steel could account for between 4.1-9.1% of total CO2 emissions by 2030.

Switching to lifecycle costs analysis is one factor that can ensure systematic, long-term planning to address these costs. In these analyses, stainless steel scores higher than many alternatives – balancing costs, aesthetics and resilience unlike any other material.

Examining the structural forces that will define stainless steel markets

How will stainless steel demand change as industries reevaluate the value of longevity and resilience? How important is low-emission stainless steel for industries? And how do geopolitics play into these decisions?

These are some of the questions answered by research consultancy Kairos Future, who interviewed decision-makers from companies of varying industries and geographies on behalf of Outokumpu.

Their responses paint a picture of shifting priorities - but broadly expressing value in the merits of sustainable stainless steel.

When looking at benefits for a lifetime, stainless steel has the edge

Think of a world where the lifetime costs of our material choices were prioritized during project planning: how would the world look different?

Consider the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The iconic French landmark is made of wrought iron, which requires regular painting and maintenance. This can cost €3 million every 18 months, and over the course of a lifetime it has a bigger carbon impact than the initial wrought iron structure.

If Gustave Eiffel had built his vision from stainless steel, the structure would have a 64% CO2 reduction in lifecycle emissions over 100 years – with 25% less material used and no painting or surface maintenance required.

If we look at the total costs when building new products or infrastructure, we can better understand the advantages stainless steel has against its main rivals – materials ranging from carbon steel and aluminum to plastics and copper.