Austria-headed international technology group Andritz AG (ANDRITZ) has announced that it is collaborating with Finnish project development company SSE Suomen Säätöenergia Oy, to develop an innovative biofuel production plant at a site in the town of Nurmes, eastern Finland.
Global demand for renewable methanol is growing strongly both in maritime transport and in the chemical industry, as the sectors strive to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and abandon fossil fuels.
SSE Suomen Säätöenergia is a project development company developing a network of hybrid biorefineries in Finland to be operated by its subsidiary Pohjolan Biometanoli Oy.
Hybrid biorefinery
The hybrid biorefinery concept combines three well-known industrial technologies – biomass gasification biomass, hydrogen from electrolysis of water, and methanol synthesis – integrated into one plant unit from which residual heat can be utilized in local district heating systems.
The “Hybrid Refinery Nurmes” project will produce high-quality renewable methanol using gasification syngas from biomass and green hydrogen.
Gasification is a well-known technology for converting biomass into usable synthesis gas.
ANDRITZ is currently carrying out the first concept study for the project that will also include the methanol synthesis process in addition to the green hydrogen and gasification technologies.
Production is planned to commence at the end of 2026.
By combining our expertise and technology in gasification syngas and green hydrogen, we are poised to make significant contributions to reducing carbon emissions and advancing the transition to a clean energy economy, said Henrik Grönqvist, Director of E-Fuel at ANDRITZ.
Utilize forest residues
At the Nurmes plant, the biomass will come from forest residues such as tree tops, bark, and branches resulting from forestry activities. Green hydrogen for the plant will be produced by electrolysis of water.
In addition, the Nurmes Hybrid Refinery is good news for wind power projects in Finland, as it offers a stable long-term customer for the electricity they produce.
The goal of the joint Hybrid Refinery Nurmes project is to foster a sustainable, environmentally responsible energy future.
A game-changer
According to the companies, the production of advanced biofuels, such as methanol, using gasification syngas and green hydrogen, will be a game-changer, offering a viable and scalable solution to combat climate change and promote a greener, cleaner tomorrow.
At the same time, it will offer benefits for the surrounding community such as using excess heat from the plant in a district heating scheme.
In addition to the Nurmes methanol plant, SSE Suomen Säätöenergia has several plant projects in progress in Eastern and Central Finland and the Baltic countries.
The projects are now undergoing plant design and environmental impact assessment procedures.
The goal is to start building the plant network in stages at the beginning of 2025.
It is especially valuable for us to start a collaboration with ANDRITZ, which possesses extensive expertise. This partnership is a key moment in our commitment to sustainable energy solutions. We believe that the combination of gasification synthesis gas and green hydrogen paves the way for the future of advanced energy solutions and strong growth in renewable methanol production, said Kaj Turunen, CEO at SSE Suomen Säätöenergia.
