ANDRITZ BioCircleToZero program sees new development projects

Our BioCirceToZero initiative is already gaining significant pace with three ongoing development projects launched; SAUNA, H₂ELP and CirBRes.

The five-year initiative, led by ANDRITZ and supported by Business Finland, brings together industry, research institutions, and universities to advance forest products development.

The program focuses on increasing the value of wood by reducing energy use, improving pulp yield, and utilizing side streams such as lignin and biomethanol to create high-value bioproducts. With this approach, BioCircleToZero aims to significantly increase the future value derived from wood.

ANDRITZ BioCircleToZero program sees new development projects.

Ongoing development projects accelerating the BioCircleToZero program

SAUNA – Sustainable pulping innovation achieving zero pollution through efficient wood residue feedstock utilization

The SAUNA project is part of the Horizon Europe program that aims to strengthen the European green economy with a focus on achieving zero waste and zero pollution biorefinery operations. SAUNA is an EU funded project aiming to develop an innovative pulping method that increases product yields and cuts emissions.

The project addresses enhanced environmental performance of pulp production by developing a novel wood fractionation concept where chemical recovery, environmental lifecycle & sustainability, unit operations and energy sources are reevaluated by 11 expert partners including five companies, which represent a wide range of expertise from production level to end user companies, four research institutes and two universities.

“The targeted outcome is a scalable technical solution for sustainable biorefinery with integrated pollution prevention and monitoring strategies covering air, noise, water, and soil.”

Markus Paananen, ANDRITZ BioCircleToZero

Dr. Markus Paananen

Manager, Fiberline Technology R&D, ANDRITZ

H₂ELP - H₂ production lifetime and performance extension

H₂ELP is a research and innovation project aimed at reducing the levelized cost of hydrogen and methanol production by improving system performance, lifetime and operational practices under dynamic Nordic conditions.

The project is carried out together with the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and industrial partners including Vaisala and Fortum, combining research expertise with real pilot and laboratory environments. Through hands-on collaboration across the hydrogen value chain, H₂ELP supports faster deployment of commercially viable hydrogen and Power-to-X solutions. The project is part of the VETURI Co-Innovation initiative funded by Business Finland.

"Lowering the levelized cost of product is a critical enabler for accelerating the large-scale deployment of green hydrogen and its derivatives, strengthening their competitiveness and enabling wider, faster market adoption."

Dr. Thomas Kohl

Technology Director Renewable Fuels, ANDRITZ

CirBRes - Global Center for Sustainable Bio-Products

The mission is to facilitate international collaboration and knowledge exchange to advance the bioeconomy sector. Through collaborative research in fundamental science and engineering, as well as economic, environmental, and social assessments of future biocomposite products, the GCSB seeks to promote sustainable and inclusive bioeconomy practices.

Åbo Akademi with other universities in Finland have the project lead, and several international partners are involved, including leading Veturi companies such as ANDRITZ, Mirka and Nokian Tyres, as well as Stora Enso and Boreal Bioproducts.

“Our mission is to create high value bioproducts across value chains and to be able to bring new products to the market. We believe the CirBRes project will go some way to support this journey.”

Naveen Chenna

Director Research & Innovations, Pulp & Power, ANDRITZ

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