STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN, NOVEMBER 23, 2023 – The Swedish Energy Agency (Energimyndigheten) approved a project amounting to SEK 1.8 million net, corresponding to a 70 % Support Level, to RenFuel for the implementation of the project “One Lignin Oil from many Lignin: A feasibility study for a pilot facility” for a period of one year.
The project is partly funded by The Swedish Energy Agency and the NextGenerationEU initiative.
Lignin is an important plant biomass component traditionally extracted in the pulp industry from black liquor and is incinerated for chemical recycling and its raw energy value.
RenFuel has developed a process to convert this so-called Kraft lignin into a lignin oil Lignol®, which can be further converted into green, renewable fuels such as diesel, gasoline, and sustainable aviation fuel in conventional oil refineries. Thereby replacing fossil crude oil and heavily reducing carbon dioxide emission footprint. This also enables countries and regions to be more self-supporting regarding the fuel feedstock.
The Swedish Energy Agency assesses that resource- and energy-efficient biorefineries realised on a large scale are important, among others, for the transition to the production of renewable fuels.
Adapting the current RenFuel Lignol® process to other lignin varieties will open new abundant feedstocks such as wood waste, sawdust, forest, and agricultural residues, leading to increased, advanced biofuel production in conventional oil refineries. The process has been confirmed on a laboratory scale and will now be evaluated on a pilot scale.
The feasibility study for a new integrated pilot plant is considered necessary, among other things, to investigate how the facility should be designed and built. And to prepare for commercial production.
The first commercial plant for Lignol is expected to have the capacity to handle 75,000 – 100,000 tonnes of lignin per year and has the potential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the transport sector by 135,000 – 195,000 tonnes per year.
“This project is a great opportunity for us to explore the potential of our innovative technology and contribute to a sustainable energy future. I want to thank all the partners and collaborators who have supported us along the way. We couldn’t have done it without you,” says Sven Löchen, CEO of RenFuel.
Please contact us to learn more about our project or join us on this journey with your lignin or biofuel technology.
