Features Bioeconomy Research & Innovation
Positive results from Flagship Biorefinery feasibility study

The biorefinery would produce approximately 1 million tonnes per year of cellulose for textile applications in addition to a range of bioproducts such as automotive biofuel, protein for feed industry and lignosulphonate for advanced dispersion applications.

Led by Processum, the project has been supported by 13 companies representing a complete value chain from the forestry to chemical industry, as well as other stakeholders.

Pöyry performed the assignment to carry out a feasibility study which has been presented to the project steering group. The results show that an investment in the proposed biorefinery can be profitable and provide positive contributions to a future bioeconomy, and according to Processum, the group found the results of the feasibility study to be “very interesting.”

“The report shows that the prerequisite for the project is good, which of course is very attractive even if many important issues must be resolved before the project can be realized. We sincerely believe that Flagship Biorefinery will be an important part of the future bioeconomy that so many are talking about,” said Lars Winter, vice chairman processum and MD Domsjö Fabriker.

“We experience a strong trend and political commitment for the transition from a fossil economy to a bioeconomy,” added Jonas Joelsson, research manager Processum and project leader for Flagship Biorefinery. “The concept we have studied could become a part of this transition, and is well aligned with the priorities of the Swedish Government.

“The results presented by Pöyry suggest good prerequisites for a plant of this type. However, one needs to be aware that the realisation of such a plant is a long process. The feasibility study was the first step, giving the basis for a decision to invest. It will be very interesting to follow the further development of this project in the future.”

The next step is to appoint a project organization with the special task to investigate how to safeguard sufficient supply of feedstock and how to finance the investment. It is estimated that this investigation will take up to three years and will be the basis for a decision whether to invest or not. A possible decision to go ahead with the project means that the start-up of the large scale biorefinery will take place in 2023 at the earliest, provided that the location has been decided and environmental permits are granted.