Unlocking Sustainable Industries Through Forest Carbon Capture
Key Ideas
- VTT and LUT University completed a project on converting forest industry CO2 and green hydrogen into renewable plastic raw materials, aiming to replace fossil-based plastics.
- The research highlights the potential of low-temperature Fischer-Tropsch process for producing renewable polymers without major additional investments in current petrochemical units.
- Finland's infrastructure, with abundant biogenic CO2 reserves and well-established energy and hydrogen systems, is positioned for large-scale production of green hydrogen and renewable products.
- The Forest CUMP project's focus on long-lasting polymer products instead of fuels offers insights into building sustainable industrial value chains leveraging bio-based carbon dioxide.
VTT Technical research centre of Finland and LUT University recently concluded a three-year research project focused on carbon capture and utilization, particularly in the forest industry. The project aimed to investigate technologies for producing renewable plastic raw materials from carbon dioxide and green hydrogen. The Forest CUMP research project concentrated on capturing biogenic carbon dioxide from forest industry and waste incineration and converting it into high-value-added products like polypropylene and polyethylene, essential raw materials for common plastics. By adapting renewable raw material processes to existing petrochemical plants, the project aimed for a rapid transition from fossil to renewable feedstocks without major additional investments in infrastructure.
The research emphasized the viability of the low-temperature Fischer-Tropsch process for economically and technically promising production of renewable polymers, enabling direct utilization in existing petrochemical processes. Finland's rich biogenic CO2 reserves, mainly from forest industry production sites, offer a unique opportunity for the country to lead in sustainable industries by replacing fossil-based raw materials. The project highlighted the importance of leveraging Finland's energy and hydrogen infrastructure for supporting renewable energy sources and hydrogen production.
The study by VTT projected that converting biogenic carbon dioxide into renewable products on a large scale could be facilitated by Finland's existing infrastructure, potentially yielding significant amounts of renewable diesel fuel. In collaboration with businesses like Borealis, the project explored the transformation of bio-based carbon dioxide into long-lasting polymer products, contributing to a green transition in the plastics industry. The initiative not only focuses on sustainable solutions like recyclable packaging products but also underscores the necessity for increased demand and advancements in hydrogen economy technologies.
The Forest CUMP project envisions Finland as a key player in utilizing biogenic carbon dioxide, with substantial annual CO2 generation that, if harnessed effectively, could position the country as a significant producer and exporter of eco-friendly chemicals, polymers, and transport fuels. By mapping the production chain from carbon capture to ethylene and propylene production, the project sets the stage for the implementation of sustainable industrial practices and the development of a circular economy in the plastics sector.
Topics
Projects
Renewable Energy
Sustainability
Carbon Capture
Green Transition
Research Project
Industrial Innovation
Plastic Industry
Bio-based Materials
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