Today industrial by-products and waste present an opportunity rather than a challenge. Thanks to the circular economy, industrial companies can create new business models and promote ambitious sustainability goals – all while saving costs. Biogas production is an efficient way to use organic side streams economically and in an environmentally responsible manner.
In a circular economy, industrial by-products such as waste and excess energy are used as resources. Examples include recovering heat and wastewater and recycling waste materials for reuse and fuel. The circular economy not only reduces waste but also increases the value of materials and reduces the need for virgin raw materials. Industrial companies can create entirely new business models through by-products, providing a competitive advantage.
Biogas production is a model example of a circular economy solution that enables almost full utilisation of organic waste generated by industry. Biogas production reduces companies’ waste management costs and significantly reduces emissions by replacing fossil fuels.
“When a company invests in a biogas solution, its carbon footprint decreases, cost savings are realised, process efficiency improves and new market opportunities may even open up”, summarises Jyrki Eurén from Nevel’s Industrial team.
Closed loop: Solina invests in circular economy solutions
Nevel has implemented a circular economy solution for Solina’s subsidiary Puljonki, at their production site in Juuka, Finland. At its core is the processing of organic waste in a biogas plant, which began operating in spring 2023. The organic waste generated at the site is converted into biogas and then into steam, which is used in production processes. The by-products of the plant are further utilised as agricultural fertilisers.
“The biogas plant has brought significant savings for Solina, as waste no longer needs to be transported away from the factory”, says Eurén.
Thanks to the biogas plant, Solina has taken significant steps towards its climate programme goals. The plant enables the company to reduce its annual carbon emissions by as much as 1,900 tons.
Biogas plants serving multiple operators
Nevel also operates biogas plants in Pori and Forssa, Finland. The feed for the Pori plant mainly comes from the wastewater treatment plant, with the sludge being used to produce biofuel for local industrial companies and biogas stations.
The Forssa biogas plant, on the other hand, operates on biowaste from households and industry, and it is also used by local industrial operators and biogas stations. Future plans include expanding the plant’s operations to include carbon capture and gas refining, further increasing the utilisation possibilities of the by-products it processes.
“When biogas is not used for a site’s own needs, as in Puljonki, we collaborate extensively with regional recycling operators as well as industry and agriculture to ensure a continuous supply of feedstock for the reactors and users for the biogas. This practice benefits many local operators”, explains Eurén.
National gas network opens up new opportunities for biogas
Biogas from the Pori plant is transported in containers, while some of the gas produced by the Forssa plant can be transported directly to factories via pipelines. In the future, Nevel will be able to use the national gas network as the biogas plant in Kotka, Finland currently in the environmental permit phase, will start up in the coming years.
“Biogas travels through the same network as natural gas, so in the future it can used by both industry and households. Biogas and the circular economy are not just local industrial solutions – they are also key to achieving both Finland’s own climate goals and global climate goals”, Eurén reflects.
Nevel helps build circular economy solutions as a service
Designing and implementing energy infrastructure is not the core expertise of most industrial companies. The best path forward is for companies to focus on their core business while a reliable partner takes responsibility for energy production and by-product utilisation.
Nevel’s customer-centric approach and strong expertise are used to develop world-class solutions that are precisely tailored to customers’ needs, achieving lower production costs, significant emission reductions and efficient resource use.
“We invest on behalf of our customers so that companies can improve their competitiveness by freeing up capital for their core business. We support customers with energy matters throughout the partnership, continuously developing existing and new business models”, Eurén sums up.
