Author: sven@vataset.com

Kemijarvi Biorefinery and the Norwegian Circa to cooperate

The Norwegian Circa Group AS, Vataset Industries Ltd. and the Kemijarvi Biorefinery Ltd. have signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the Kemijarvi Biopark. The companies are investigating the feasibility of a renewable chemicals manufacturing facility. 

Since 2020, Vataset has developed a circular economy-based biopark in Kemijarvi, specializing in the chemical wood processing. The Kemijärvi Biorefinery specializes in processing biomass. The operations of CIRCA and the Kemijärvi Biorefinery have synergistic benefits. Sustainable utilization of renewable natural resources and high environmental values are in the core of the companies. 

“Kemijarvi has a long tradition in wood processing and is well positioned to host our production facility. We have developed our products and production in cooperation with the Finnish VTT and Valmet, and we value Finnish know-how in the field. We see a lot of opportunities in cooperation with Kemijarvi Biorefinery and Vataset,” says Tony Duncan, CEO of Circa. 

Circa’s flagship product is a bio-based solvent, Cyrene, which requires biomass levoglucosenone (LGO) to produce. Cyrene is suitable for e.g. for paints and coatings. “Industries moving away from fossil raw materials require alternatives that work in practise. Circa offers an innovative, more environmentally friendly alternative for the fossils based chemicals. We are happy to cooperate with Circa”, says Harri Vatanen from Kemijarvi Biorefinery. 

Bertel Karlstedt, who was responsible for Valmet’s pulp and energy businesses, will start as Circa’s new CEO from the beginning of 2024. “I’ve known the Kemijärvi biorefinery project for a long time, and I’m looking forward to our cooperation in the Kemijarvi Biopark”, says Karlstedt.

Supreme Administrative Court granted the environmental and water management permits to the Kemijarvi Biorefinery

The Supreme Administrative Court today (30 June 2022) published its decision on the environmental and water management permits of the Kemijarvi bioproduct factory. The Supreme Administrative Court rejected the appeals from the Vaasa Administrative Court’s decision of 31.12.2020 regarding all other aspects than the emissions of the biorefinery referred to in the permit application to the water body and their effects. The court requires a report on the possibilities of reducing sulfate and sodium emissions caused by the operation.

The report must also examine the effects of sulfate and sodium emissions in the water body together with emissions referred to in permit regulation 18 and thermal emissions. The report should include an examination of the balance of phosphorus, nitrogen, sulfate and sodium in the Kemijarvi lake in its current state and during the operation of the factory”. The report is to be submitted to the Center for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment of Lapland.

“This is a great day for Kemijarvi and the Kemijarvi Biorefinery! A big step forward. We are grateful to all that have contributed to the project and all that have supported us. We will now continue finalizing the financing arrangements. After this, we can make an investment decision,” says CEO Vatanen.

“Environmental values ​​​​are our core values. We are committed to building the most environmentally friendly biorefinery. One of the most essential aspects is the water quality of the Kemijarvi lake. The water purification solution that will be applied is very advanced. The report that the Court requires is fully in line with our aims and efforts to ensure that the Kemijarvi lake is not adversely affected by the biorefinery operations,” Vatanen continues.