Metsä Group and ANDRITZ explore innovative carbon capture technology, aiming to revolutionize the bioproduct mill industry and boost Finland's hydrogen economy.
Metsä Group and ANDRITZ are collaborating to explore the potential of building a state-of-the-art carbon capture facility in conjunction with their bioproduct mill. This ambitious initiative aims to capture an impressive four million tonnes of carbon dioxide from a mill comparable in size to the Kemi bioproduct mill. The study focuses on identifying the optimal recovery system size that combines energy efficiency with the bioproduct mill's operations. Additionally, it will address the cooling and logistical requirements necessary for the system. The ultimate goal is to utilize the electricity, heat, and steam generated by the bioproduct mill as efficiently as possible, ensuring no waste heat is produced.
This investigation builds upon a carbon capture study initiated in 2023. Carbon dioxide capture through an amine solution is a well-established technology used globally for decades. However, integrating this technology with a pulp or bioproduct mill represents a groundbreaking advancement.
Following the conclusion of this investigation with ANDRITZ, the project will move into the pilot phase at Metsä Group’s mill area in Rauma in 2025.
Sari Pajari-Sederholm, Metsä Group’s EVP, Strategy, emphasizes, "Our goal at Metsä Group is to process northern wood into increasingly valuable products. If implemented, carbon dioxide capture would open up opportunities for a significant new chemical industry in Finland and boost the Finnish hydrogen economy."
Metsä Group currently generates about 12 million tonnes of wood-based carbon dioxide annually, which holds potential as a raw material for fossil material substitutes as related technologies and markets evolve. Renewable hydrogen and wood-based carbon dioxide could, for instance, be utilized to produce synthetic methane and methanol, which serve as vital raw materials in the chemical industry.
Klaus Bärnthaler, Vice President of Sales and Business Development, Carbon Capture at ANDRITZ, states, "The investigation by ANDRITZ and Metsä Group is pioneering work in carbon dioxide capture and the first step towards the production of renewable fuels from wood-based carbon dioxide. Efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions are increasing the demand for renewable fuels, which can be met by the side streams from bioproduct mills."
The collaboration between Metsä Group and ANDRITZ marks a significant milestone in the quest for sustainable and renewable energy solutions. By exploring and potentially implementing carbon capture technology within the bioproduct mill framework, they are setting the stage for innovative developments in the chemical industry and contributing to the growth of the Finnish hydrogen economy.
This initiative is a testament to their commitment to environmental sustainability and technological innovation. The ability to capture and repurpose wood-based carbon dioxide not only addresses the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions but also paves the way for new economic opportunities in renewable energy and materials.
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