"By choosing the experienced AKER as the partner for our pilot project for capturing and storing CO2, we are in a great position to develop the optimal solution for Fortum. The pilot project is an important milestone in our CCS project, which will make us climate neutral in 2030 and, in the long term, help us to not only detoxify and utilise hazardous industrial waste but also to recycle the CO2 born in the process," says Jens Peter Rasmussen, Head of Waste Management Service Denmark, Fortum Recycling & Waste.
The purpose of the pilot project is to test Aker's special amine technology on the flue gas from Fortum's high-temperature incineration plant. The flue gas from the plant is more complex and variable than the flue gas from household waste incinerators, for example. The pilot plant will be built on a scale of 1:50.
In addition to the establishment of the pilot plant, there will also be a feasibility study. The feasibility study with Aker Carbon Capture aims to uncover the possibilities for transport and storage of the captured CO2, for example, as well as investigate the future integration with Fortum's existing energy production.
"We are proud to work with one of Europe's cleanest energy producers," says Jon Christopher Knudsen, Chief Commercial Officer at Aker Carbon Capture. "We are very much looking forward to helping Fortum Recycling & Waste achieve their ambitious goal of CO2 neutrality in 2030. Together, we see CO2 collection as a fantastic opportunity to create green jobs in Denmark," he continues.
Fortum Recycling & Waste detoxifies and recovers hazardous industrial waste for energy at the high-temperature incineration plant in Nyborg, Denmark. The company is the source for approximately 85% of the local district heating demand in Nyborg and expects to be able to capture its entire annual CO2 emission of some 160,000 tonnes by 2030. In doing so, Fortum contributes to 38% of Nyborg municipality's climate reduction target.
Carbon2x – the next generation of circular economy
The Danish CCS project is one of many initiatives that form Fortum Recycling & Waste's strategic Carbon2x concept. The innovative concept aims to reduce the CO2 emissions from Fortum’s waste treatment facilities by capturing the CO2 and eventually using it to produce high-quality raw materials that can be used in new products. In spring 2022, Fortum initiated a CCU pilot plant in Riihimäki, Finland, that combines the captured CO2 with hydrogen and converts it into methane – a step forward in the process towards an actual production of plastic products, for instance.
The Carbon2x concept considers carbon as a valuable resource that can be used to produce new materials. At the same time, we can reduce dependency on fossil raw materials and improve self-sufficiency in the Nordics and Europe.
According to Fortum's analysis, up to 90% of the CO2 from waste can be recycled by supplementing the mechanical recycling of plastic with waste incineration technology. When captured and utilised in the production of new materials, CO2 can make the climate impact from waste incineration negative in the long term.
Fortum's CCS project is funded by EU React
About Aker Carbon Capture
Aker Carbon Capture focuses on CO2 capture and offers solutions, services, and technologies for industries with CO2 emissions, including the cement, bio and waste-to-energy, gas-to-electricity, and blue hydrogen segments. Aker Carbon Capture's technology is a unique, environmentally friendly solution that removes CO2 emissions.
About Fortum Recycling & Waste
Fortum Recycling & Waste in Nyborg, Denmark, is “Rethinking Recycling” and is at the forefront of revolutionising the recycling of raw materials. The company focuses on problem solving and transforms waste streams into new critical raw materials. Fortum finds solutions to its customers' environmental and waste challenges to enable the circulation of raw materials. In Denmark, Fortum offers comprehensive solutions for handling hazardous waste and employs approximately 170 employees.