With the increasing demand for green chemicals, Swedish advanced biofuels, and biochemicals process developer Sekab sees an opportunity to contribute to climate change adaptation by commercialising its CelluAPP technology platform. The company has launched a feasibility study to investigate the possibility of building a commercial-scale forest residue derived green chemicals plant in Sweden.
Sekab is one Europe’s leading biochemical companies. Every year, biofuels and biochemical productsare supplied to clients in both Sweden and abroad. The company has developed a pioneering platform technology for producing renewable feedstock from forest-derived residual materials such as sawdust.
The climate goals are strict and distinct and our whole society must increase the pace of transition. The forest has the potential to contribute significantly more to a sustainable society. Most things that are made today from fossil raw materials such as coal, oil, and gas can just as easily be made out of products from the forest. This is where our new technology comes in, saidDr Monica Normark, Chief Technology Officer at SEKAB.
Called CelluAPP, the technology uses residual forest products like sawdust and converts this into green feedstocks such as cellulosic sugars, cellulosic ethanol, and lignin.
These platform feedstocks can be used directly or further processed into products that contribute to climate change adaptation. Products range from advancedbiofuels like ED95andsustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to binders for asphaltand medicines.
Feasibility study initiated
TheCelluAPP technologyhas been developed and tested in Sekab’s demonstration plant in Örnsköldsvik and is now ready for large-scale commercial use. Sekab has now launched a feasibility study to investigate the conditions for building a commercial green chemical production facility using its technology in Sweden.
The time is right, now. Demand for green products is increasing, there is a great willingness to invest in technological advances that contribute to climate change adaptation and we are ready to take the lead. If a large-scale production facility becomes a reality, it will help solve the challenges society is facing and at the same time strengthen our position as a leading player, said Dr Monica Normark.
The feasibility study will “carefully and thoroughly” investigate the conditions for the building of a production facility in Sweden. Partners, financing, and location are all issues that must be investigated.
As a first step, Sekab is currently seeking investment support from the European Innovation Fund. The feasibility study will be completed in the autumn of 2022.
The CelluAPP technology has already been pre-selected for the proposedNordFuel biorefinery projectin Finland, and earlier this year, Sekab signed a partnership agreement withPraj Industriesin India.
