Höganäs AB together with Höganäs Energi AB have begun cooperation with WA3RM AB in a project to re-use residual heat and carbon dioxide (CO2) from Höganäs processing facilities in Sweden.
The Swedish metal powder producer Höganäs AB together with local energy supplier Höganäs Energi AB has begun cooperation with WA3RM AB to re-use residual heat and carbon dioxide (CO2) from Höganäs processing facilities. The heat will be used for greenhouse cultivation, fish farming and as electricity. Apart from reducing the environmental impact, the project is set to benefit local entrepreneurs and create more jobs in the area.
The production of metal powder products at Höganäs generates residual heat and CO2. Currently, some of that residual heat is used for district heating in cooperation with local energy supplier Höganäs Energi. But all the waste heat cannot be utilised for district heating and large amounts remain unused.
– It is difficult to use residual heat with a temperature under 70 degrees C for district heating. But it can be used for other things, lowering our total environmental impact, explained Magnus Pettersson, Energy Coordinator at Höganäs.
To this end Höganäs AB and Höganäs Energi have begun a collaboration with WA3RM, a company whose business idea “Regenerative Industrial Development” (RID) is to develop new industries based on industrial residual heat. WA3RM will buy the heat and CO2 from Höganäs that isn’t suitable for district heating and use it for growing tomatoes in greenhouses, fish farming and electricity.
– Höganäs is an interesting region for us to do business in. Höganäs AB is a successful industrial company generating residual heat, in combination with a surrounding local community with great experience in market gardening and fish farming. We believe that the prerequisites for a successful establishment are great here, said Michael Wiegert at WA3RM.
The initiative is part of Höganäs’ sustainability work and the cooperation will not just decrease the impact on the environment and support local actors, but also generate new jobs in the area. The facilities will be located as close as possible to the Höganäs plants in accordance to local planning regulations. During the coming year, detailed plans regarding the greenhouses and fish farming facilities will take form. If the preconditions are right, production will be possible within three years.
– From our point of view, this is very much a question of what it means being a sustainable business, utilising residual heat contributing to the surrounding community and the environmentally friendly production of food and energy, said Pettersson.
For Höganäs Energi the cooperation is an opportunity to increase the exploitation of residual heat and a cost effective development of the energy infrastructure in the area. But also an opportunity to be a part of the development of new and sustainable business ideas.
– It is important for us to contribute to a sustainable energy system and business development in Höganäs, said Benny Ulmestig, CEO, Höganäs Energi.
