The biomethanol produced at Södra will be supplied to one of its Danish customers producing biodiesel
Image: Södra builds new biomethanol facility in Sweden. (Credit: Södra.)
Södra, a Swedish forestry cooperative, has completed construction of a commercial scale biomethanol plant at its pulp mill in Mönsterås, Sweden.
In 2017, the company had decided to invest in a biomethanol production facility. The investment will also broaden its product portfolio with a new bioproduct.
Södra claims that the idea to work towards a circular economy, resource-efficiency and to be fossil-fuel free has been its initiative.
Södra strategic business development manager Henrik Brodin said: “It is with pride that we have now started up the first commercial plant in the world for biomethanol. The transition to a bioeconomy means that all raw materials must be used efficiently.
“Biomethanol is produced from the crude methanol recovered from the manufacturing process at Södra’s pulp mills. It is part of the circular process that already exists in Södra’s mills, in which all parts of forest products are used for the best possible effect.
“With this step, we are showing the way to a fossil-free society, and it is fully in line with our own strategy for fossil-free transportation by 2030.”
Södra to supply biomethanol to Emmelev as raw material for producing biodiesel
Södra expects to produce the first pilot biomethanol in the next few days, which will be delivered to Emmelev, one of its customers.
Emmelev, a Danish agricultural company, has developed large-scale biodiesel production from local canola, but uses fossil methanol as a raw material in production. Now with supply from Södra, the company can produce fossil-free biodiesel.
Emmelev co-owner Morten Simonsen said: “Biodiesel will play a key role in the transition to a fossil-free Denmark and we are very happy that Swedish biomethanol will now be used in production. Our biodiesel will be 100% renewable and based on locally sourced raw materials.
“Biodiesel produced from Danish canola and Swedish forests can secure fuel supplies for heavy road transport, as well as buses and construction machinery. This will be crucial for a transformation of the energy sector.
“We emphasise local and regional production and consider Sweden part of our local area, and we have good relationships with Swedish companies. It therefore feels natural to be entering into an agreement with Södra.”