Powder metallurgy specialist Höganäs AB and Cortus Energy AB have opened what they say is the world’s first plant for renewable energy gas and green coke. The aim of the plant is to transform biomass into renewable energy, which can be used in the iron and steel industry. As a result, Höganäs’ carbon dioxide emissions could decrease with around 10,000 tonnes per year, the company said.
Using Cortus Energy’s technology, biomass is gasified into energy gas and green coke, both of which are energy sources that can be used in Höganäs’ metal powder production. The first industrial plant with Cortus’ technology, which is now being built on Höganäs’ industrial compound, will be connected to one of the furnaces in production and will be tested under real conditions.
The plant will start up during the first half of 2018 and then be tested in Höganäs’ production. If the tests show positive results, Cortus Energy will start regular deliveries of renewable energy products during 2019. This would then be the break-through for gasification of biomass to generate renewable energy for demanding industrial processes in Sweden, according to Höganäs.
‘For Höganäs, this is a part of our long-term strategy to go from fossil fuels to renewable energy,’ said Nicklas Lång, senior vice president sustainability at Höganäs. ‘To succeed we must get engaged, pitch in resources and take the lead in exploring new opportunities.’
This story is reprinted from material from Höganäs, with editorial changes made by Materials Today. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of Elsevier.
