Finnish forestry giant Metsä Group is ramping up efforts to capture vast amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) generated during their wood processing.
This initiative aims to transform wood byproducts into valuable resources and potentially revolutionize Finland's chemical and energy sectors.
Kaija Pehu-LehtonenMetsä Group's production facilities currently emit roughly 12 million tonnes of wood-based CO2 annually. "Bio-based carbon dioxide is a significant, yet underutilized byproduct," explains Kaija Pehu-Lehtonen, recently appointed project director for Metsä Group's carbon capture initiative. "As technology and markets evolve, we see great potential in harnessing this resource more effectively."
Capturing this CO2 could unlock a game-changer for the forest industry. Captured carbon essentially becomes a new, high-volume, wood-based raw material. This "captured carbon" could then replace fossil fuel-derived materials in various applications.
"Our vision is to maximize the resource efficiency of Nordic wood," says Sari Pajari-Sederholm, EVP of Strategy at Metsä Group. "We strive to utilize production byproducts more extensively, transforming wood into ever-more valuable products."
Metsä Group is actively exploring the technical and energy implications of large-scale carbon capture from bioproduct mills. This fall, an initial survey will be completed, paving the way for further development.
Next year marks a significant milestone – a pilot project at the Rauma pulp mill in collaboration with technology company ANDRITZ. If successful, this pilot could unlock major opportunities. "Carbon capture has the potential to create a thriving new chemical industry in Finland and bolster the country's hydrogen economy," says Pajari-Sederholm. "For instance, captured carbon dioxide combined with renewable hydrogen could be used to produce synthetic methane or methanol for further processing."
This initiative aligns perfectly with Metsä Group's commitment to sustainable forestry practices. By capturing CO2 emissions, they can significantly reduce their environmental footprint while simultaneously generating valuable new resources. The potential economic and environmental benefits for Finland are substantial, making this a development to watch closely.
