Elementis

Elementis modernises its talc-drying process

Elementis, a global producer of specialist chemicals, manufactures talc products at its production facility in Sotkamo, Finland. Talc for the global market has been produced in Sotkamo since 1969.

Due to its water-repellent properties, among other things, talc is used in a huge variety of different applications including the production of plastic, coatings and hygiene products. To dry the talc, Elementis needs heat, which was previously produced with heavy fuel oil.

In 2021, together with Nevel, Elementis began preparations to eliminate the use of fossil fuel at its Sotkamo plant and to renew the process so that talc could be dried using alternative fuel in the future.

“We contacted Nevel to discuss our plans to eliminate fossil fuel because we were aware that they are a strong player in this field. The cooperation was smooth right from the start, and we progressed in the spirit of open discussion towards the concept to be implemented, for which Nevel then took responsibility,” says Jari Pajunen, Director of Operations at Elementis.

Electrification drives emissions down to zero

Together with Nevel, it was decided to implement the project in two phases. In summer 2022 the liquid gas heater with storage tanks and vaporiser was completed, which enabled heat production to transition from fuel oil to significantly more environmentally friendly liquefied natural gas. In the second phase of the project, implemented in January 2024, the process was electrified, reducing the emissions from the drying process to zero. Elementis buys certified renewable electricity for the process.

The liquid gas heater has a power output of 6 MW and the electric heater 5 MW. The annual energy consumption of the drying process is approximately 20 GWh. The enriched talc has a moisture content of around 10%. The Sotkamo plant uses a flash drying method where moisture evaporates from the talc concentrate in air heated to temperatures as high as 450 °C.

“The large electric heater implemented by Nevel and the very high drying temperature it offers represent exceptional technological know-how in industrial processes,” Pajunen explains.

Openness and partnership

The solution enables Elementis to monitor market price fluctuations and choose the most economical method for heat production. For example, monthly fluctuations in the price of liquefied natural gas and daily fluctuations in the spot price of electricity can be flexibly accounted for in production. Operational reliability is also increased because the process is not dependent on a single energy source.

“Nevel typically implements energy solutions as a service, and in this case the implementation was the modernisation of the talc drying process planned together with the customer. Following commissioning, Elementis now operates the solution and Nevel is responsible for its maintenance,” says Risto Larmio, Key Account Manager at Nevel.

The modernisation and electrification of the talc-drying process implemented together with Nevel serves Elementis’ target to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The cooperation project is also aligned with Nevel’s sustainability goals as the company is committed to promoting the transition towards a carbon-neutral future.

Nevel and Elementis are united by high occupational safety requirements and ambitious climate goals, and high-quality and well-functioning cooperation serve the interests of both companies.

“Two words in particular describe our cooperation with Nevel: openness and partnership. We continue to have open discussions and we also have future projects in the pipeline,” Pajunen concludes.