Outokumpu makes substantial donation to the uni...

PRESS RELEASE
September 5, 2008 at 11.30 am

Outokumpu is donating EUR 200 000 to the University of Oulu's Center
for Advanced Steels Research. The center promotes interdisciplinary
steel research, education and cooperation with industry. The donation
will be used to acquire a new thermal-mechanical simulator (Gleeble
system), which is required for development work in steels.

The University of Oulu is an important partner to Outokumpu when it
comes to research and education in metallurgy and materials, process
and automation technology. About 70 percent of the academically
educated personnel at Outokumpu's Tornio Works graduated from the
University of Oulu. Further concrete cooperation is also carried out
through various projects, doctoral theses and diploma dissertations.

"Close cooperation and dialogue with universities and research
centers has always been a fundamental aspect of our stainless steel
development work. In order to ensure competitiveness, it's vital that
the industry continually invests in new steel grades and improves
manufacturing processes," says Executive Vice President Pekka
Erkkilä.

The University of Oulu is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary,
and Outokumpu's donation will be paid into a fund that has been
established to commemorate this special year. Another metal-industry
company, Rautaruukki Oyj, is making a corresponding contribution.

For further information, please contact:

Niilo Suutala, SVP - Research and development, Outokumpu Oyj, tel.
[phone]