Scandbio AB is to invest SEK 1 million (≈ EUR 102 400) in capacity expansion at its Norberg wood pellet mill in Sweden.
Sweden-headed wood pellet producer Scandbio AB has announced that it will invest around SEK 1 million (≈ EUR 102 400) in capacity expansion at its Norberg production facility in Sweden. According to the company, its Norberg plant is located in the heart of the “sawmill belt” in County Västmanland making it one of “the most competitive” bioenergy companies in the north.
Wood fuel is an entirely renewable bioenergy source that provides sustainable energy. An energy source that is good for the future, future generations and provides economic benefits, said Peter Granborn, CEO, Scandbio in a statement.
The Norberg plant began operations in 1983 and has produced wood fuel for over 30 years. During this time it has undergone constant development and modernisation. Currently, it has an annual pellet production capacity of 130 000 tonnes.
Our goal is to constantly improve and develop a proactive production environment that is as energy efficient and environmentally friendly as possible. The Norberg plant makes it possible for us to become even more competitive thanks to Norberg’s expansion opportunities and proximity to both raw materials and customers. We have chosen to close our facility in Ljusne, but we see a future for production in the north, here in Norberg, said Granborn.
New production line
The investment in a new production line means that Scandbio will increase its annual pellet production in Norberg by 30 000 tonnes. The investment includes a new pellet press, a new sawdust dryer and new storage halls for pellets to enable full weather protection.
We will utilise all the residual heat from the pellet plant that is not supplied to Norberg’s district heating network. The new dryer will use this residual heat and in doing the factory’s total production costs are reduced, and our manufacturing volume increases completely at no additional energy cost, explained Peter Franklin, Plant Manager for Norberg.
Secure heat and employment for Norberg
Currently employing 15 staff, the pellet facility has also an important economic impact for the municipality of Norberg, which has a population of around 7 000 of which 4 500 live in the town of Norberg.
For over two decades the plant has supplied the entire town with district heating for heating apartments, schools, shops, the church along with other municipal and commercial buildings. Plant Manager Peter Franklin has been working at the facility for almost 33 years.
In many ways, we secure the future of the community. We have been around since 1983 and plan to stay for a long time to come. We secure jobs, provide the municipality with district heating so that we have environmentally friendly and cost-effective heating. There are many synergies we take into the company that benefits the town, ranging from lunches to our strong relationships with local sawmills, remarked Peter Franklin.
Like all Scandbio production facilities, the Norberg plant is certified according to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 and continues to work for high environmental goals with fuel-efficient production processes. No waste heat is released, all heat is used in the production process or goes to heat Norberg’s inhabitants homes and workplaces.
Our conscious choices bring climate benefits, amongst other things off-gases from the dryer are captured and converted to energy. Our pellets are simply the best and finest fuel available. It is the cleanest product with least pollutants and has been so since the 1990’s, ended Peter Franklin.
Facts
About Scandbio
Founded in 2014 through a merger of Lantmännen Agroenergi and Neova to form Agroenergi Neova Pellets AB, the name was changed to Scandbio AB in 2016. The company produces and supplies solid processed wood fuels such as pellets, briquettes and powder to industry, municipalities and consumers.
Scandbio has 7 plants in Sweden and 1 in Latvia and with a total annual pellet production of around 650 000 tonnes, it is the largest operator in Scandinavia. The Norberg facility manufactures pellets in bulk and bags, briquettes, wood powder, bedding pellets and supplies district heating. On an annual basis, the plant currently has five pellet presses and produces around 130 000 of pellets as well as supplying 24 GWh of residual heat.
