Chempolis Develops a Unique Technology for Bioethanol Production

(Chempolis) Chempolis Oy, engaged in the development and delivery of environmentally sustainable biorefining technologies, has expanded its biorefinery and R&D centre in Oulu (Finland) to the production of bioethanol. This enables the company to strengthen its position in the market, as the rapid increase in the utilisation of biofuels is boosting the demand for new technologies.

According to Matti Sundberg, Chairman of the Board of Chempolis Oy, the unique 3G formico® technology represents the next step in the expansion of the company's product line. The new production concept is ready for use and can now be implemented in practice at the Oulu plant. This may be the most significant innovation in the environmental sector, the pulp and paper industry as well as the biochemicals industry.

The inauguration in Oulu was attended by Chempolis' customers, partners and representatives of other interest groups from both Finland and abroad. The keynote speakers included the Prime Minister of Finland Matti Vanhanen and Director General, Dr. Veli-Pekka Saarnivaara from Tekes, the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of biomass utilisation and provided a historical overview of the development of industrial production in Finland from tar to biochemicals. Veli-Pekka Saarnivaara underlined the importance of biorefining technologies and highlighted, in particular, the potential and implementation of new innovations and technologies.

CEO of Chempolis Esa Rousu pointed out that being based on the utilisation of non-wood and non-food raw materials, the formico® technologies provide the company with significant opportunities within the paper and oil energy industries.

"Because the majority of the old pulp production capacity in China will be phased out during the next couple of years due to environmental reasons, new technologies are needed quickly. The size and growth of the bioethanol markets are illustrated by the fact that in China, for instance, the target production is set at 10 million tonnes by 2020. Typically, the annual production of a plant is approximately 50,000 tonnes", Rousu explains.

"The 3G formico® technologies – unlike the technologies of previous generations – enable the production of various end products utilising the energy generated in the production process. As a result, the same amount of raw material generates more revenue. Furthermore, our process is based on a closed loop system for water and chemical circulation, which makes it extremely clean”, CTO Pasi Rousu states.

Chempolis' key technologies are formicofib™ for the production of papermaking fibres and formicobio™ for the production of bioethanol. In addition, biochemicals are produced in connection with these technologies. Chempolis does not manufacture end products but licences the technologies developed and provides extensive plant engineering, procurement and commissioning services.

Investments in the Chempolis Oy biorefinery and R&D Centre totalled approximately 20 million euros. The biorefinery functions as a development and marketing centre where customer-sourced raw materials are tested and sample batches of papermaking fibres, bioethanol and biochemicals are produced for customers. The annual rated capacity of the plant is 25,000 tonnes of non-wood and non-food raw material. READ MORE