Page 168 - CW E-Magazine (2-1-2024)

News from Abroad News from Abroad

CHANGING STRATEGY SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS
Neste’s crude oil refi nery in Finland to transition Metsä Group invests in startup to advance use

to renewable and circular solutions refi ning hub of pulp-based bio-materials

Finland-based Neste has completed a Finland-based bio-products fi rm, also transparent, enabling it to be used in
study launched in September 2022, and Metsä Group, has made its second a large variety of products.
will begin a gradual transformation of its Swedish investment in FineCell, the
crude oil refi nery in Porvoo, Finland into developer of the FineCell technology “Our product, based on softwood
a renewable and circular solutions refi n- and producer of CellOx dry cellulose pulp from Nordic forests, gives many
ing hub. The planned transformation will powder. industries an alternative to the components
proceed in phases, and requires multiple they are currently using,” said Mr. Peter
separate investment decisions during the FineCell, a spin-out of the KTH Roy- Axegård, CEO and co-owner of Fine-
next decade before targeted completion al Institute of Technology in Stockholm, can replace fossil-based chemicals in Cell. “Metsä Spring has seen the poten-
in the mid-2030s, the company informed. Sweden, will use the €1-mn seed funding beauty and healthcare products, as well tial in our innovation, and due to their
to improve its material application know- as in paints. know-how in planning, constructing and
The company expects the long-term how, engage with potential customers, operating production plants, including
capacity potential after the transforma- and fi nalise the material needed for mak- The CellOx material is made through pilots and demos, and their access to
tion to be about 3-mtpa of renewable and ing an investment decision concerning the FineCell technology, which com- the raw material linked to their ambition
circular products, such as renewable die- a demo production facility. The funding bines cellulose with a natural chemical – to upgrade Nordic wood, they were the
sel, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and The planned Porvoo transforma- recycling. At the same time, these vol- round lead by Metsä Group’s innova- oxalic acid, found in e.g., rhubarb – pro- perfect choice to support us as we move
both renewable and circular feedstock tion will contribute to the realisation of umes also demonstrate the commitment tion company, Metsä Spring, consists ducing a new material that is completely forward.”
for the polymers and chemicals indus- Neste’s climate commitments. The fi nal of our partners, suppliers and the industry of a group of investors, including EIT bio-based, light to ship, and compared
try. The total investment estimate for the timeline for transitioning from crude oil as a whole: We are confi dent we will see InnoEnergy and the company’s founder. to other similar cellulose products, FineCell aims to have the design of its
transformation roadmap is approximately to renewable and circular raw materials chemical recycling become a commer- requires 80-90% less energy to manu- demo plant ready for investment decision
€2.5-bn. will be determined later in line with the cial-scale contributor to the circularity The FineCell technology can turn facture. CellOx can easily carry other by the end of 2024. The company plans to
actual fuel market demand, legislation of plastics in the upcoming years,” said pulp into added-value biomaterial that ingredients, making it an excellent have larger-scale test production under-
“The COP28 declaration is a strong development and transformation pro- Mr. Heikki Färkkilä, Vice President can be used both as a powder and as a binding agent for products such as sun- way during 2025, with full commercial
signal to all of us, and we want to be in gress, the company added. Chemical Recycling at Neste. water solution, i.e., a hydrogel. These screens, skin creams, and paints. It’s production commencing in 2027.
the forefront of accelerating the green DECARBONISATION
transition with our renewable and circular Waste plastic processing update The current runs utilise Neste’s exist-
solutions. The long-term transformation In another development, Neste has ing refi nery equipment and pave the way Air Liquide plans CO capture unit in Rotterdam
of the Porvoo refi nery is a key element announced the conclusion of another for reaching capability to start continuous 2
in our renewables growth strategy, com- series of industrial-scale processing runs commercial processing. A new facility French industrial gases major, Air The CCS unit will be operational
pleting Neste’s journey to a 100% renew- with increasing volumes of liquefi ed is currently being constructed at Porvoo Liquide, will build, own and operate in 2026, and Air Liquide will be able
able and circular solutions provider when waste plastic at its Porvoo refi nery. refi nery to enable the upgrading of 150- a world-scale carbon capture unit in to supply hydrogen that will be signifi -
fi nalised. This will further strengthen our ktpa of liquefi ed waste plastic. This fi rst the industrial basin of Rotterdam, cantly decarbonised, to its long-term
position in serving the future needs of The processing runs in the second phase of Neste’s EU Innovation Fund the Netherlands, using its proprietary customers, as contracted.
our customers,” said Mr. Matti Lehmus, half of 2023 doubled the total amount backed PULSE project, which sees Neste Cryocap technology. The new unit will
President & CEO, Neste. of liquefi ed waste plastic processed by investing €111-mn, is expected to be be installed at the Group’s hydrogen The Porthos infrastructure overall
Neste to more than 6,000 tonnes. For the fi nalised in the fi rst half of 2025. In total, production plant in the port of Rotter- will enable to reduce emissions by
“The demand for fossil fuels is fi rst time the largest run in 2023 exceeded PULSE is aiming for a capacity to pro- dam and will be connected to Porthos, 2.5-mtpa of CO – equivalent to around
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declining in our traditional markets due to 2,000 tonnes of liquefi ed waste plastic. cess 400-ktpa of liquefi ed waste plastic. one of Europe’s largest carbon capture 10% of the current Rotterdam industry
the growing share of renewable fuels and The output of the runs is high-quality, and storage (CCS) infrastructure aim- aging Cryocap, a cryogenic process. CO emissions. The European Union
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electrifi cation. I am excited to start this ISCC PLUS certifi ed material for new Besides contributing to the overall ing at signifi cantly reducing CO emis- Captured CO will then be transported has recognised Porthos as a major
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transformation roadmap of the Porvoo plastics. development of chemical recycling, pro- sions in this large industrial basin. through the Porthos infrastructure, cross-border infrastructure project,
refi nery to proactively create a sustaina- cessing liquefi ed waste plastic is being which is currently being developed, contributing to the achievement of
ble future for the site,” said Mr. Markku “We are processing increasing vol- seen as an enabler in developing the Air Liquide will capture the CO and permanently stored in depleted gas energy and climate policy objectives,
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Korvenranta, Executive Vice President in umes of waste plastic, which is testament Porvoo refi nery into a renewable and from its existing world-scale hydrogen fi elds in the North Sea, approximately and has included Porthos to the list
Oil Products business unit. to our commitment to scale up chemical circular solutions site. plant in the port of Rotterdam, lever- 20-km off the coast. of Project of Common Interest.

168 Chemical Weekly January 2, 2024 Chemical Weekly January 2, 2024 169

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