Borregaard to Invest in New Environmental Measures

By investing strongly in various environmental measures, Borregaard, Norway, will reduce NOx emissions by more than 50% from 2018. These measures will be supported by the Norwegian Business Sector’s NOx Fund.

During the past decade, Borregaard has implemented an energy strategy to replace the use of heavy oil with more environmentally and climate friendly energy sources. In the same period, Borregaard has reduced its CO2 emissions by as much as 50%. Today Borregaard covers its constant energy needs, mainly in the form of steam, with the reuse of process heat from production, bioenergy, and energy recovery from waste. 

 

 

 

One of Borregaard’s energy sources is a bioboiler that converts residual products from vanillin and cellulose production to steam. In the process, waste oil is used as supplementary fuel, which is a source of NOx and CO2 emissions. By rebuilding the plant, waste oil will be replaced with natural gas, which is considerably more eco-friendly.

In addition, Borregaard has two spray dryers that dry the water in lignin products to produce powder. Here too the source of energy will be replaced, in this case from propane to a mixture of natural gas and biogas from Borregaard’s biological treatment plant.

  

These measures are estimated to reduce NOx emissions by up to 100 metric tons annually, as well as reducing annual CO2 emissions by 14 500 metric tons. The measures will therefore have a positive effect both in terms of local air quality and greenhouse gas emissions. The project will cost NOK 78 million and receive support from the Norwegian Business Sector’s NOx Fund, which will contribute up to NOK 25.9 million. Completion is scheduled for the last quarter of 2018. 

 

Borregaard has one of the world’s most advanced and sustainable biorefineries. By using natural, sustainable raw materials, Borregaard produces advanced and environmentally friendly biochemicals that can replace oil-based products. Borregaard has 1010 employees in factories and sales offices in 16 countries in Europe, America, Asia, and Africa. Borregaard also holds strong positions in ingredients and fine chemicals.

The Norwegian Business Sector’s NOx Fund is a joint effort where the participating companies can apply for funding for emission reduction measures. Reduced NOx emissions are the Fund’s main objective and payment to the Fund replaces the state NOx fee for the companies involved. The NOx Fund was founded by 15 collaborating industry organizations: The Construction Products Association, Fiskebåt, Hurtigbåtforbundet, KS Bedrift, Kystrederiene, NHO Luftfart, NHO Reiseliv, NHO Sjøfart, the Norwegian Fishermen’s Association, the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association, Norsk Fjernvarme, the Federation of Norwegian Industries, the Norwegian Oil and Gas Association, the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (NHO), and Sjømat Norge.