Paper Technology International 2024 - Journal - Page 40
PAPERTECHNOLOGYINTERNATIONAL
EA
Exploring Biogenic CO2 Utilization:
A sustainable business opportunity
for the pulp and paper industry
Felix Jung, Sustainability Manager, Liquid Wind
INTRODUCTION:
The global population is facing the urgent challenge of climate change and the need to reduce carbon emissions to reach the goals
of carbon neutrality and limit the impacts of global warming. One of the solutions is Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS),
a suite of technologies that captures carbon dioxide (CO2) and either repurposes it into valuable commodities or stores it to prevent its
release into the atmosphere.
Figure 1: Graphic showing the production process of green electrofuel, eMethanol. By Liquid Wind.
The Promise of CCUS Technologies
CCUS encompasses two primary technologies: Carbon
Capture and Storage (CCS) and Carbon Capture and Utilisation
(CCU). CCS involves capturing CO2 emissions from power plants
or industrial processes and storing them underground, preventing
their release into the atmosphere and mitigating their contribution to
global warming.
Conversely, CCU transforms captured CO2 into useful
products such as synthetic fuels, chemicals like eMethanol, and
building materials. This approach turns carbon emissions into an
economic opportunity, paving the way for sustainable growth.
Liquid Wind: Pioneering eMethanol Production
Liquid Wind, a leading developer of eFuel facilities,
produces eMethanol (or electro-methanol) by combining biogenic
CO2 with hydrogen in a process powered by renewable energy.
This process, known as power-to-x, enables the storage of excess
renewable energy in the form of a versatile, easy-to-transport
liquid fuel. eMethanol can be used in existing infrastructure and
engines, making it a practical choice for reducing carbon emissions
in sectors like shipping and heavy industry. By using biogenic CO2
as a feedstock, we’re not only recycling waste products but also
preventing additional fossil carbon from being introduced into the
atmosphere.
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The Urgency of Transition
The transition to this sustainable model needs to start now.
The sooner we begin to integrate biogenic CO2 into our energy
systems and phase out fossil fuels, the more effectively we can
mitigate the impacts of climate change and advance the necessary
technologies.
Given the urgent need to reduce our carbon footprint,
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies should primarily
focus on mitigating fossil fuel emissions. Fossil fuels, when
burned, release CO2 that has been locked away for millions of
years, disrupting the natural carbon cycle and contributing to
global warming. Unlike biogenic CO2, which is part of a balanced,
renewable cycle, fossil CO2 represents a net addition to the
atmosphere’s carbon content. Therefore, prioritizing the capture
and storage of fossil CO2 emissions through CCS technologies is
a critical step in our transition towards a sustainable, low-carbon
future.
The Pulp and Paper Industry: An Enabler for Sustainable
Solutions
The pulp and paper industry, by supplying biogenic CO2
for the production of sustainable eMethanol, not only enhances its
own sustainability performance but also enables other sectors to
enhance their sustainability. This approach replaces the production
