Improving efficiency will make the forest's resources last longer
The transition to fossil-free makes biomass an extremely sought-after raw material, not least in Sweden. But in order for the forest's renewable carbon atoms to go further, more efficient processes are needed in the forest industry, as well as smarter use of residual forestry products. And better policy instruments that boost domestic production.
“In the short term, more policy instruments are needed so that we can get greater resource efficiency and added value from the forest raw material. Today, there is no incentive for pulp mills to become more efficient and burn less because higher prices for bark and lignin have not yet broken through.”
He says that, for example, the reduction obligation – which forces a higher blend of renewable fuels – has not been enough to promote sufficient product development and domestic production.
Before markets are established, there must be partnerships that secure the value chain
More innovation is needed
Erik Furusjö is looking for more innovation in the forest industry, although there are some good examples.
“For example, Stora Enso has a number of lignin projects, including carbonisation to make parts for batteries. And several forest companies are putting resources into investigating new processes for the manufacture of fuels and chemicals.
“There is great potential to collaborate with us at RISE, to develop new products from lignin, for example. In-house research and development at many major stakeholders is rather limited at present, but they collaborate with universities and institutes such as RISE.”
Affect value chains
New processes and end products also affect value chains. Established partnerships need to be reviewed, new friendships forged. Preem's and Setra's joint venture Pyrocell is one such example.
The plant for processing sawdust into bio-oil was inaugurated in autumn 2021 in Setra's area outside Gävle. The oil is driven down to the Preem refinery in Lysekil for processing into renewable fuel.
"This pyrolysis oil didn't exist before. It needed a joint venture and building collaboration across the value chains.”
Erik Furusjö views the collaboration between the forest giant SCA and the energy group St1 in the same way. Their joint venture is now investing in a new biorefinery in Gothenburg to refine tall oil from SCA's various pulp mills into renewable fuels such as HVO diesel and bio-jet fuel.
“Before markets are established, there must be partnerships that secure the value chain. Pyrolysis oil was just not on the market: if they want it, they must cooperate, at least in the start-up phase.”
