Heidi Peltonen (M.Sc., Econ.) is Vice President, Sustainability at Outokumpu, the global leader in sustainable stainless steel production in Europe and the United States and the owner of the only chromium mine within EU. Outokumpu is accelerating circular economy as a core pillar of industrial competitiveness and decarbonisation - by using over 90% recycled materials in its production and increasing the use of side streams as by-products. 

With a strong background in linking sustainability to business value creation, Heidi works at the intersection of industry, policy, and markets to strengthen the role of recycled materials, material efficiency, and product longevity in Europe’s clean industrial transition. Heidi has actively engaged in shaping climate policy instruments such as the EU Emissions Trading System, Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and Circular Economy Act emphasising the need for coherent, investment-enabling regulation that rewards circular business models and preserves Europe’s industrial leadership.

Through her engagement with policymakers, industry peers and stakeholders, Heidi advocates for a regulatory environment that turns circularity into a competitive advantage—supporting demand for sustainable materials, strengthening internal markets, and reducing Europe’s dependency on virgin raw materials while accelerating climate action.