Articles on biorefinery

Do you sell or supply fuels for transport or for heating buildings? If so, you are affected by the EU's new emissions trading system. Christer Nilsson, audit manager at RISE, will tell you everything you need to know about ETS 2.

These are three of the great societal challenges of our time: how do we reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, make ourselves more self-sufficient - and improve our long-term preparedness for major crises? The solution to all three is the circular bioeconomy.

The tyres on our cars and the ink in our office printers contain carbon black, a chemical manufactured with a significant climate impact. Researchers at RISE were the first in the world to develop a special method of producing black carbon powder that is more environmentally friendly.

Does start-up Reselo have the answer to fossil-free rubber? The company's material is already used for shoe soles – and together with a manufacturer it is now being adapted for tyre production, which accounts for 70% of the world's rubber consumption. "The material is made entirely from birch bark and can be incorporated into existing production processes," says Josefin Larsson, CPO at Reselo.

The plastics in our children's toys, the synthetic fibres in our clothes and the ingredients in the salve we use to lubricate our hands. The common denominator? The products contain chemicals of fossil origin that need to be phased out. Green chemicals is the key.

In a complex world with major challenges, the importance of a powerful research institute becomes apparent. In 2024, RISE will achieve a strong result that will enable continued investments in cutting-edge expertise and technology infrastructure that are important for Sweden's and Europe's competitiveness.

It's a downward spiral that needs to be broken: climate change is affecting the availability of food resources, while the world's population is growing. Our eating habits contribute to new greenhouse gas emissions that fuel climate change. Does the solution lie in alternative foods?

The life sciences industry aims to improve human health. At the same time, the sector is responsible for a significant climate impact. And the transition faces particular challenges. "We in the research community can help to better understand what can be changed and provide relevant assessment methods and tools. This will help focus efforts where they are needed and where they will be most effective," says Björn Gregertsen at RISE.

Companies that experiment and collaborate with industry peers to benefit from the latest research will get a head start on the industrial transition. The Bioeconomy research programme is the arena where this happens.

Plastic becomes new plastic, which becomes new plastic, which becomes new plastic, and on it goes. Using materials in a cycle is important for us to achieve the national environmental and climate goals and the global goals in the 2030 Agenda. The speciality chemicals group Perstorp is now participating in a project for the large-scale chemical recycling of PET packaging. And they see a clear potential in developing and producing new products for their customers.

Fossil fuel-based plastics, composite materials and aluminium may soon be replaced by a new biomaterial developed by PaperShell in collaboration with RISE. The product is an excellent example of how to quickly take an innovation all the way from idea to industrialisation.

A completely new cellulose-based textile fibre so durable and cheap that it can reduce the textile industry’s carbon footprint. This is what TreeToTextile has succeeded in developing. RISE has been involved throughout the journey – from idea to demo facility.

At RISE, over 3,000 colleagues work together for a more sustainable and competitive business community and society. One of them is Gunnar Westin, Group Manager for Biotechnology at RISE in Örnsköldsvik. The unit works on new processes to refine raw materials and side streams from forestry – and to ensure that they also make it to the market.

Bio-based raw materials have tremendous potential in replacing fossil-based products. The problem is that with just one planet, the collected bio-based raw materials are not enough. Johanna Mossberg, head of the biorefinery and energy unit at RISE, explains how smarter, more efficient use can give us completely new opportunities.