NordFuel Oy selected Finnish Chempolis Oy as the technology supplier in spring 2024. Chempolis bioethanol production technology has now been tested at the state-of-the-art demo plant in Oulu. Pilot trials were started in spring 2024 and the tests are currently in progress.

During the test runs, high-quality lignin is produced from softwood-based sawdust and wood chips. Analyses of lignin have already shown that the so-called organosolv lignin produced by the Chempolis’ process has exceptionally high purity level. In addition, tests carried out by NordFuel’s partners showed that NordFuel’s sulfur-free lignin is suitable for a wide range of applications, from cosmetic products to  variousindustrial applications.

“Initial results of the product testing are very promising, and we are following the progress of the customer projects with interest,” says Johanna Laukkanen, Business Development Manager from NordFuel.

Before completing the pilot trials, the target is to produce so-called biomass cake and process water samples. Composition of these side streams will provide important additional information for both process design and application development. The test runs will also generate other necessary data which will be utilised for the basis of design for the NordFuel’s Haapavesi plant.

NordFuel and Chempolis will continue close cooperation and engineering work as a target to build the bioproduct plant in Haapavesi.

“The cooperation has been smooth, and we have learned a lot from the partnership between our companies,” says Maija Rouhiainen, R&D & LAB Director at Chempolis.

Successful pilot trials, as well as the high-quality bioproducts produced during the test runs, have opened opportunities for versatile off-take negotiations. Additional interest is raised by the news that a full-scale plant equipped with Chempolis technology in Assam, India, will be completed in the coming months. NordFuel’s Haapavesi project is expected to increase confidence that NordFuel, together with Chempolis, will bring Finland to the forefront of the bioeconomy.

Learn more about our partner

Chempolis Oy is a provider of advanced formico® biorefining technologies. The technologies enable the production of high-quality products, such as bioethanol, biochemicals and sulfur-free lignin sustainably out of lignocellulosic feedstocks. Chempolis’ services entail biorefinery project development, technology licensing, product and application development and piloting services.

Kanteleen Voima Oy has decided to implement the business transfer concerning the NordFuel bioproduct factory project from Kanteleen Voima Oy to its subsidiary NordFuel Oy. The transfer will take place May 1, 2024.  

With the business transfer, the company is preparing for the next phases of the NordFuel bioproduct factory project. The ownership of NordFuel will not change, and Kanteleen Voima will continue as the parent company of NordFuel. Kanteleen Voima is owned by Oy Katternö Kraft Ab, Suomen Voima Oy, Valkeakosken Energia Oy and Ålands Elandelslag.

”The business transfer to the project company is a step forward in the NordFuel project. Separating the businesses of parent company and its subsidiary strengthen the brand and operational culture of bioproduct factory project when moving from energy production to chemical industry”, says Matti Asikainen, CEO of Kanteleen Voima and NordFuel.  

In March, NordFuel announced that the company had selected Finnish Chempolis as technology provider. Simultaneously, the company launched funding round. The selection of the technology provider started the basic design phase that will take approximately 6-9 months. In the basic design phase, the essential documentation for the implementation of the project and the budgeting is prepared for the bioproduct factory project.  

Additional information:  

Matti Asikainen 
Kanteleen Voima Oy 
NordFuel Oy 
CEO  
matti.asikainen@nordfuel.fi 
+358 40 553 4926 

Matters concerning business transfer and invoicing:  

Jaana Puolitaival 
NordFuel Oy 
Financial assistant  
jaana.puolitaival@nordfuel.fi 
+358 50 454 9371  

NordFuel announces a selection of a technology provider for its next generation bioproduct factory in Haapavesi, Finland. This decision accelerates the project towards the planned 2028 production start. Concurrently, NordFuel has initiated a financing round to ensure the completion of this state-of-the-art facility.

The collaboration with technology provider Chempolis Ltd positions NordFuel’s facility to revolutionize the conversion of forest industry’s sidestreams into sustainable biofuels and bioproducts such as bioethanol, biogas, and lignin. Chempolis is a renowned provider of groundbreaking biorefining technologies for energy, biofuel, oil, paper and chemical industries.

“We warmly thank NordFuel, that, based on thorough investigations, has chosen Finnish Chempolis as the technology supplier. In our flexible process, raw materials are efficiently refined into high-value products for rapidly growing markets. We look forward to continuing the excellent cooperation with the NordFuel team. Together we have started a journey where we act as pioneers in the transition from a fossil-based linear economy towards a bio- and circular economy,” says CEO of Chempolis Heli Antila.

The products play a pivotal role in significantly lowering transportation emissions and replacing fossil-based materials, aligning perfectly with the European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive II (RED II) and contributing to the achievement of increasingly stringent climate targets in the markets they serve. The majority of the factory’s output is intended to cater the European demand for sustainable solutions.

Setting new industry standards with advanced technology

With innovation and sustainability at the forefront, NordFuel is poised to make a significant impact on the global bioeconomy landscape. NordFuel’s commitment in Haapavesi marks a substantial bioeconomy investment, employing advanced technology for the efficient transformation of forest industry’s side streams into valuable biofuels and bioproducts.

Leveraging meticulously selected technology, the Haapavesi facility sets a new standard for operational reliability in the biofuel industry. It exemplifies a groundbreaking approach in mitigating the inherent risks associated with advanced biofuel technology, ensuring a steadfast production process.

“Chempolis’ license covers the bioethanol production technology, which is based on the so-called organosolv -process. In addition to bioethanol, the process produces high-quality, pure lignin, biogas and biochemicals”, states Matti Asikainen, the CEO of NordFuel.

Meeting the surging market demand for sustainable materials

The demand for biofuels and bioproducts is surging globally, fueled by strict environmental and climate directives that will further tighten in 2030. The market for bioethanol, European biogas, lignin, and other biomaterials is experiencing robust growth, with forecasts indicating continued expansion. NordFuel’s production capabilities will support the replacement of fossil-based substances across industries and aid in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from road transport. The production process also generates biogenic carbon dioxide and essential chemicals like furfural and acetic acid, further contributing to environmental sustainability.

“The establishment of our bioproduct factory significantly furthers the achievement of climate targets in our target markets. As we enhance resource efficiency, we concurrently diminish dependence on fossil fuels and cut carbon emissions. The reductions in emissions are particularly impactful within the transportation sector, yet the production of lignin and biogas also introduces significant emissions reductions across other sectors,” says Asikainen.

Strategically situated in Haapavesi, within an emerging clean energy cluster in Finland, NordFuel’s factory leverages proximity to significant wind power capacity and potential developed by Puhuri and a planned e-fuel production plant by Liquid Wind. This location, close to Finland’s principal export harbors and industrial facilities, guarantees operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness. NordFuel’s project offers compelling investment opportunities that advance climate and environmental goals, signifying a noteworthy step forward in the bioeconomy sector.

The project is introduced in greater detail on NordFuel’s webpage www.nordfuel.fi/en/front-page/

Additional information:

Matti Asikainen, CEO
+358 40 5534 926
matti.asikainen@nordfuel.fi

Juha Hartikainen, COO
+358 50 379 0164
juha.hartikainen@nordfuel.f

Materials
Anniina Kärkkäinen, Communications Manager
anniina.karkkainen@nordfuel.fi

NordFuel Ltd is preparing a modern bioproduct factory in Haapavesi, Northern Ostrobothnia, Finland. The bioproduct factory will produce bioethanol, lignin, biogas, and other products from domestic sawdust and forestry by-products, significantly reducing transportation emissions and replacing fossil-based raw materials and chemicals in industry. NordFuel Ltd is a subsidiary of Kanteleen Voima Ltd.

Chempolis Ltd’s formico® technologies enable the sustainable production of high-quality products such as bioethanol, biochemicals, and sulfur-free lignin from all lignocellulosic raw materials. The process broadly and flexibly utilizes lignocellulosic biomass with high material efficiency. Chempolis’s biorefining processes are designed to minimize environmental impacts and maximize social benefits globally. Chempolis’s services include biorefinery project development, technology licensing, product and application development, and piloting. The company is headquartered in Oulu, where it also offers biorefinery piloting services.

Today, 12 December 2023, Liquid Wind, Kanteleen Voima and Piipsan Tuulivoima announced the signing of a cooperation agreement to prepare a feasibility study for an electrofuel facility producing eMethanol in Haapavesi, Finland. The signed Letter of Intent indicates the starting point of a close cooperation to develop clean energy solutions in Haapavesi, taking a major step towards accelerating the production capacity of eFuel in Finland. The parties are jointly responsible for the overall project development work.

The facility is planned to be adjacent to NordFuel’s planned biorefinery site and will be powered by renewable energy from a new onshore wind park that will be built and operated by Piipsan Tuulivoima, and NordFuel’s biorefinery project will be developed in parallel. Kanteleen Voima is the owner of NordFuel, and Piipsan Tuulivoima is part of the Puhuri group.

Claes Fredriksson, CEO and Founder of Liquid Wind, says:
“We are excited to announce the development of our first project in Finland, together with NordFuel and Puhuri. Liquid Wind is focused on leading the development and production of green electrofuel. The electrofuel produced in Haapavesi will be used to decarbonize hard-to-abate industries like shipping; with the facility in Finland, we are one step closer to seeing a world without dependency on fossil fuels.”

Matti Asikainen, CEO of NordFuel, says:
“We are glad to cooperate with Liquid Wind, one of the most significant actors in the field of electrofuels. Circular economy and zero-waste principle are in the core of NordFuel’s business idea. Liquid Wind’s technology enables us to utilize the carbon dioxide that will come out of the biorefinery’s process the most effective way possible. The industrial infrastructure in Haapavesi offers an excellent basis for the planned electrofuel facility.”

Tuomas Ylimaula, CEO of Puhuri, comments:
“As a Haapavesi based company we are proud to announce the development work we are committed to together with Liquid Wind and NordFuel. There is a huge green energy consortium under development in Haapavesi. We need this kind of development to fully utilize Finnish wind power capacity.”

Media contacts:

Liquid Wind
Klaudija Cavala, Head of Digital, Marketing & Communications
media@liquidwind.se

NordFuel and Puhuri
Anniina Kärkkäinen, Communications Manager
anniina.karkkainen@puhuri.fi

About Liquid Wind
Liquid Wind is a leading developer of electrofuel production facilities with a vision to reduce the world’s dependency on fossil fuel. Liquid Wind has a solid pipeline of projects in development in the Nordics with the goal of reaching Financial Investment Decision (FID) for 10 projects by 2026. Headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden and with a presence in Denmark, Finland and the UK, Liquid Wind has approx. 50 employees. Liquid Wind has a strong group of investors, including Alfa Laval, Carbon Clean, Elyse Energy, HyCap, Siemens Energy, Topsoe and Uniper. Visit liquidwind.se or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

About NordFuel
NordFuel Oy is preparing to build a modern biorefinery in Haapavesi, Northern Ostrobothnia, Finland. The biorefinery will produce bioethanol, biogas and lignin from domestic sawdust and forestry by-products which will replace imported fossil fuels. NordFuel is owned by Kanteleen Voima Oy.

About Puhuri and Piipsan Tuulivoima
Puhuri Oy is a Finnish wind power company based in Haapavesi that produces clean energy for its owners. Puhuri is owned by 27 local power utilities. Puhuri develop, build, operate and own wind parks built on environmentally sensible solutions. Piipsan Tuulivoima Oy is a sister company of Puhuri that develops the Piipsa wind park project located in Haapavesi.

Doctor of Engineering (Dr.-Ing.) Juha Hartikainen has been appointed as the chief operating officer of NordFuel Oy from November 1, 2023.

In his role, Hartikainen will oversee the daily operations of the biorefinery project, focusing on the establishment and investment phase, and the selection of technical functions, technologies, and suppliers.

Hartikainen moves to the chief operating officer’s role from Borealis Polymers Oy, a manufacturer of polyolefins and basic chemicals, where he has held various research, development, and management roles for fifteen years. In his most recent role, Hartikainen led a team of process experts in the company, supporting investment project planning and implementation globally.

“We are extremely pleased to have a person at the control of our project’s daily work, someone with extensive and diverse experience from the chemical industry and strong expertise in leading expert teams and projects – these qualities are essential in the role of a COO,” praises Matti Asikainen, CEO of NordFuel.

Hartikainen sees an important role for the Haapavesi biorefinery in transitioning to greener and more ecological energy sources and raw materials.

“I feel privileged to be part of such a regionally and nationally significant project. I’ve been impressed by the expertise and approach of the NordFuel team to the project. I eagerly anticipate innovating, building, and operating the new generation bio-product factory together,” Hartikainen states.

Currently, the biorefinery project is focusing on selecting a bioethanol technology suppliers and subcontractors. In addition, the project is exploring opportunities for further processing of lignin and related partnerships. NordFuel is also currently investigating the production of synthetic fuels in collaboration with wind power company Puhuri Oy.

Additional information:

Matti Asikainen
NordFuel Oy
CEO
+358 40 5534 926

Juha Hartikainen
NordFuel Oy
COO from November 1, 2023
+358 50 3790164

NordFuel Oy is preparing to build a modern biorefinery in Haapavesi, Northern Ostrobothnia. The biorefinery will produce bioethanol, biogas and lignin from domestic sawdust and forestry by-products which will replace imported fossil fuels.

NordFuel Oy is looking for a partner for the commercial use of lignin, which is produced as a by-product of the biorefinery it is preparing. In the mapping of the partner company, NordFuel is collaborating with Brightplus Oy.

NordFuel is preparing to build a modern biorefinery in Haapavesi, Northern Finland. The biorefinery will produce bioethanol and biogas from sawdust and forest residues. The process based on enzymatic hydrolysis produces lignin as a by-product, about 230,000 tons per year.

The company is now looking for a buyer for the lignin produced in the process. In addition to the procurement contract, the partner has the opportunity to participate in lignin product development and to participate in process design insofar as it affects the properties of the lignin produced.

At the moment, process design and technology provider selection is underway in the biorefinery project. The biorefinery’s environmental permit gained legal force at the beginning of 2023, and preparatory work in the power plant area has been started by dismantling parts of the former peat power plant located in the area. The biorefinery’s production is set to start in 2026.

Please see the attached document for a more detailed proposal for cooperation.

Additional information:

Johnny Pehkonen
Business Development Director
Brightplus Oy
+358 50 597 5944

Johanna Laukkanen
Development Engineer
NordFuel Oy
+358 50 553 3760

The Regional State Administrative Agency of Northern Finland has granted environmental permits to NordFuel’s biorefinery’s energy centre and the biogas and carbon dioxide processing plants. The environmental permits were not appealed.

“The energy centre, biogas, and carbon dioxide downstream processes are integral to the planned biorefinery complex. These operations will allow us to make use of all material and by-product streams efficiently,” says Maarit Rimpiläinen, QEHS Manager at NordFuel.

The environmental permit for NordFuel’s biorefinery became effective in February when the Supreme Administrative Court issued a ruling on an appeal against the permit.

Utilizing side streams

The biorefinery’s energy centre produces the steam required by the biorefinery and the heating and cooling energy for the site. Power of steam boiler will be up to 99 MW. Biorefinery by-products, like lignin, will be used as fuel.

The water treatment process of the biorefinery will produce raw biogas, which will be refined on-site into liquefied biogas suitable for vehicles.

Carbon dioxide is produced in the bioethanol production process and biogas processing.
The biogenic carbon dioxide is dried, purified, and liquefied. The end product is liquefied carbon dioxide that is suitable for example for the food industry. In the future, the recovered carbon dioxide can be used together with hydrogen to produce synthetic transport fuels.

Additional information:

Maarit Rimpiläinen
QEHS Manager, NordFuel Oy
+358 40 5814753

NordFuel Oy is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kanteleen Voima Oy, which is planning the construction of a modern biorefinery in Haapavesi, North Ostrobothnia. The biorefinery will produce bioethanol, biogas and lignin from domestic sawdust and forestry by-products which will replace imported fossil fuels.

The Supreme Administrative Court issued on Monday 27th February its decision to the complaint raised against the biorefinery’s environmental permit application. The decision enables the start of operations in accordance with the environmental permit.

“We are satisfied with the decision of the Supreme Administrative Court. A legally valid environmental permit provides the conditions to continue preparing the project for the investment decision,” says Matti Asikainen, CEO of NordFuel Oy.

According to the KHO’s decision, NordFuel must submit a report on the possible harm caused by the operation to the recreational use of the water to the regional administrative agency after three years of operation of the biorefinery.

“A lot of attention has been paid to the water treatment of the biorefinery, and of course we do everything we can to ensure that the effects on the environment are as small as possible. The authority will then assess in due time whether there is a need to compensate for the harm caused to the recreational use of the waters for the property related to the complaint,” Asikainen specifies.

The biorefinery planned by NordFuel in Haapavesi will produce 65,000 tons of ethanol and 150 GWh of biogas for transport use after completion. This production amount will double bioethanol production in Finland compared to the level of 2021.

More information:
Matti Asikainen
CEO, NordFuel Oy
+358 40 553 4926

NordFuel Oy is a 100% owned subsidiary of Kanteleen Voima Oy, which is preparing the construction of a modern biorefinery in Haapavesi, North Ostrobothnia. The biorefinery produces bioethanol and biogas and lignin from domestic sawdust and forestry byproducts, which replace imported fossil fuels.

NordFuel recruited several new experts in 2022.

Katariina Moring started as NordFuel’s controller on January 5, 2023. Moring moved to NordFuel from Fennovoima, where she worked for several years in various financial management positions. Moring has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.

Anniina Kärkkäinen-Oinas, who started as NordFuel’s communication manager in August, also moved to NordFuel from Fennovoima as a communication specialist. Kärkkäinen-Oinas has a master’s degree in Social Sciences. Kärkkäinen-Oinas also works as Puhuri Oy’s communications manager.

Maarit Rimpiläinen started as NordFuel’s QEHS manager in March 2022. Rimpiläinen has a master’s degree in Process Engineering and she has previously worked with environmental and quality issues at Loiste Energia and Kainuun Voima, among others.

“We have a great group of experts from different fields. By developing the organization, we are preparing for the investment phase of the biorefinery,” says NordFuel CEO Matti Asikainen.

NordFuel is preparing to build a modern biorefinery in Haapavesi, North Ostrobothnia. The biorefinery produces bioethanol, biogas, and lignin from domestic sawdust and forestry byproducts, which will replace imported fossil fuels.

Today, Wednesday, Bioenergia ry (The Bioenergy Association of Finland) published the study prepared by the AFRY Management Consulting about the role of renewable fuels in Finland.

Finland aims to halve domestic traffic CO2 emissions by 2030 and have fossil-free traffic by 2045.

According to the study commissioned by Bioenergia ry, renewable fuels are the most important means of reducing traffic CO2 emissions following the obligations on a tight schedule. However, more electric vehicles must be used in addition to renewable fuels.

The emissions of the current vehicle fleet can only be cut with renewable fuels, such as biofuels, biogas, and future synthetic electrical fuels. In the future, the need for renewable fuels will also increase in sea and air transport.

The biorefinery planned by NordFuel in Haapavesi will produce annually 65,000 tons of ethanol and 150 GWh of biogas for traffic use. The production volume would double bioethanol production in Finland compared to the 2021 level.

NordFuel has financed the report published today with BioEnergo, Gasum, Neste, Finnish Biocycle and Biogas Association, and UPM. The work has been carried out closely with the operators and experts from AFRY Management Consulting.

A recording about the publishing webinar is available here.

NordFuel is preparing to build a modern biorefinery in Haapavesi, Northern Ostrobothnia. The biorefinery will produce bioethanol, biogas, and lignin from domestic sawdust and forestry byproducts, replacing imported fossil fuels.

Look at the materials prepared based on the report (in Finnish):