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The Fit for 55 Package is aimed at a significant reduction of CO2 at many sectors, including heavy industry and transport. Fast pyrolysis is one of the innovative break-through technologies, which can provide such a significant CO2-reduction by the production of advanced biofuels. Co-processing for instance reduces CO2-emissions with millions of tons annually cost-effectively and can provide thousands of new jobs. Three examples of investments done are shown below.
In January 2014, after more than 20 years of research, development and upscaling, BTG Bioliquids / Empyro BV started construction of its pyrolysis oil production facility in Hengelo, the Netherlands. The Empyro plant converts 5 tons per hour of wood residues into pyrolysis oil, process steam and electricity. Start-up of the installation commenced in early 2015 and production has gradually increased since. Nameplate capacity was reached in 2017 and more than 24.000 tons of bio-oil is produced per year. The success of the Empyro project has served as the first leap towards full-scale fast pyrolysis technology commercialization.
Since 2019 Empyro is part of Twence, which focuses on the recovery of raw materials and the production of renewable energy. Utility company Twence was happy to add this unique and successful plant to their portfolio. The Empyro plant is completely operated by Twence personnel since mid-2019. Both parties work together on optimizing this plant further and e.g. build a bulk storage for other possible future feedstock types.
Green Fuel Nordic (GFN) is a Finnish bio-refinement company whose business model is based on the utilization of innovative, commercially used pyrolysis technology in next-generation bio-oil production. The raw material comprises renewable Finnish forest biomass, that offers a new refinement path for precious forest resources. GFN provides customers an efficient, local alternative to fossil fuels. The GFN plant started production in December 2020, raw materials for the bio-oil refinery consist of sawmill by-products and bio-stem. One of the recipients of the GFN bio-oil is the Savon Voima Joensuu heating plant.
“The increasing use of bio-based liquid fuels supports Savon Voima’s strategy to produce carbon neutral energy. We are also well-equipped to use pyrolysis oil in our heat production”, says Savon Voima’s Timo Partanen. In their strategy, Savon Voima has outlined their goal to be a fully carbon-neutral energy producer by the end of this decade. “We want to do our part to support pyrolysis oil production and use in the region. It also helps us when there’s more supply on the market and more demand is created as a result”, Partanen sums up his thoughts.
Pyrocell is jointly owned by Setra and Preem and is based on the business concept of producing bio-oil from sawdust. In spring 2019, the boards of Setra and Preem took the investment decision to have Pyrocell build a pyrolysis plant next to Setra’s Kastet sawmill in Gävle. The plant was put into operation during autumn 2021. The sawdust, which is a residual product in Setra’s industrial process, is processed into non fossil bio-oil at Pyrocell’s pyrolysis plant ready for further processing at Preem’s refinery in Lysekil.
“The commence of production at Pyrocell signals another concrete step in our transition and in our work to achieve large-scale renewable production,” says Magnus Heimburg, CEO of Preem.
“Pyrocell is an unique industrial investment that enables a sustainable value chain from forest to tank,” says Pontus Friberg, acting Chairperson of Pyrocell. “We are replacing fossil fuels and contributing to an increased proportion of renewables in fuels that result in lower carbon dioxide emissions.”
The plant will produce around 25,000 tons of non-fossil pyrolysis oil per year, corresponding to the annual fuel consumption of 15,000 passenger cars.
Prospects and developments include new pyrolysis plants for the production of sustainable aviation fuels and marine fuels, either through co-processing or stand-alone plants. For such, a stable investment climate remains of utmost importance and the proposed Fit for 55 Package is an important building block for such a stable policy framework for the next decades.
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LSB is a coalition of leading advanced biofuel technology developers and producers committed to making a significant contribution to meeting the EU ambitions of decarbonizing the transport sector. Sustainable advanced biofuels are a fast track solution for decarbonizing transport. Advanced biofuels bring multiple benefits in terms of CO2 reduction, investments, revenues for the agricultural and forestry sector, improved waste management practices, job creation and an increase in energy security.
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