In Sweden, Solvent Recycling Solutions (SRS) – a new, state-of-the-art facility for solvent recycling located at waste management company Ragn Sells' Högbytorp recycling plant, just outside Stockholm – has been officially inaugurated. The facility has the capacity to process up to 20,000 tonnes of solvents annually, including chemicals such as acetone, ethanol, methanol, and glycol – chemicals that are currently produced primarily from finite fossil resources.
Solvent Recycling Solutions (SRS) is a new facility jointly owned by Ragn-Sells and environmental technology company Vilokan Group, and located directly adjacent to Ragn-Sells’ facility in Högbytorp, in the greater Stockholm area.
A collaborative effort between Ragn-Sells, Vilokan, and AF Bygg Syd, the facility has the capacity to process up to 20,000 tonnes of waste-classified solvents per annum from various industries.
The energy required for the process is supplied by a pellet boiler that produces steam.
Part of the circular strategy
Ragn-Sells collects waste-classified solvents such as acetone, ethanol, methanol, and glycol – chemicals that are currently produced primarily from fossil, virgin resources.
In the SRS facility, these chemicals are purified using advanced separation technology developed by Vilokan.
Vilokan subsidiary Arom-dekor Kemi has an offtake agreement for the lion’s share of recycled solvents, which are used as feedstock in the production of new cleaning agents, disinfectants, washer fluid, and glycol-based products, thereby reducing the need for virgin resources.
The remaining volume will be made available to the open market.
Combining our technology and expertise with Ragn-Sells’ extensive knowledge and broad collection network allows us to create new products from what was previously considered waste. This is a tangible example of how we help our customers achieve their environmental goals, commented Lars Rosell, Deputy CEO of Vilokan Group.
Good example of green transition leadership
Held on September 3, 2025, the SRS inauguration, which comprised opening addresses and a tour of the facility, gathered around 80 guests.
The inauguration program was led by Susanna Lind, Sustainability Manager for Recycling Sweden, together with Erik Gustafsson, Key Account Manager (KAM) from Ragn-Sells Treatment & Detox business area, and the project manager for the new SRS facility. Kristina Alvendal, the Government’s appointed industry coordinator for the Acceleration Office, which is tasked with driving the green transition, also officiated at the event.
This facility is an incredible step forward in the right direction and is a good example of Swedish business and industry leading the way for the green transition, remarked Kristina Alvendal during the event.
Anders Kihl, Strategy and Research Director at Ragn-Sells, also participated in the inauguration and emphasised the importance of making the most of what we already have.
If we are serious about a sustainable society, we must use what we already have – over and over again. That is why the inauguration of SRS is very important. We still need continued support and momentum in the system to scale up solutions like this, said Anders Kihl.
Anders Kihl also highlighted the importance of collaboration and systemic change, and expressed his support for the Acceleration Office’s role in driving development.
We are very happy with initiatives like the Acceleration Office. This is exactly the kind of coordination with high levels of ambition that is required to solve complex, systemic challenges. I feel optimistic about the possibility of being able to untie knots more quickly that are otherwise very difficult to solve in individual processes, Anders Kihl said.
