Unique plant for renewable energy gas and bio-coke

2017, we broke ground in Höganäs by starting construction of the world´s first plant for renewable energy gas and bio-coke. In June 2018 it was inaugurated.

There are currently few realistic alternatives to replace fossil fuels for Höganäs, due to the need for precise process control, high temperature and purity. To initiate a change we started the Probiostål project and a collaboration with Cortus Energy, who have developed a technique for gasification and restructuring of biomass to synthesis gas.

After a number of studies, demonstrating the possibilities of the Woodroll process – the gasification and restructuring of biomass to synthesis gas – a pilot plant was built at our site in Höganäs, Sweden, to perform tests on an industrial scale. The project provides a unique opportunity to make an evaluation of the new technology on-site.

The plant gasifies forestry-based biomass to renewable energy gas (renewable synthesis gas). The energy gas will replace natural gas in our metal powder production. Pilot scale test production is expected to start during 2020. If the technology is proven for use on an industrial scale, the installed unit alone will enable us to reduce our fossil CO₂ emissions by about 10,000 tonnes per year.

This project is a joint research and development project between the Swedish steel industry, Höganäs AB, Cortus Energy AB, various universities and the Swedish authorities Swedish Energy Agency and Swedish Environmental Protection Agency. 

Cortus Energy website