ORNSKOLDSVIK, Sweden,
Jan. 20, 2011
(Press Release) -
On Thursday 20th January the groundbreaking for Lignin Dryer No. 2 took place. The Biorefinery Domsjö Fabriker is in a strong expansion mode and the Board of Directors decided, at their meeting in October 2010, to construct a second lignin dryer. The investment cost amounts to USD 20 million (EUR 15 million). Construction work has now started and the first trial runs are planned for the end of October.
The first Lignin Dryer was commissioned in January 2009 and the product has had a very favourable development in the global market. Now a second dryer is being constructed and the drying capacity will be doubled, from 60 000 to 120 000 tpa.
The doubled dryer capacity will enhance the capability to develop and produce lignin products with higher quality and higher value. During the second quarter a new product will be launched. It will be the first product which is based on new technology which Domsjö has developed and submitted a patent application for. The new product will give Domsjö access to new market segments.
The main energy source will, just like for Lignin Dryer No. 1, be biogas from the in-house bio-treatment plant.
The dryer plant is also this time supplied by GEA Process Engineering. Construction contractor is Skanska and amongst the local suppliers you find Eurocon, Örnsköldsviks Mekaniska Verkstad and YIT Projektrör.
The main application for Lignin powder is in concrete additives. Lignin improves the flow characteristics of concrete and reduces the cement consumption with maintained strength of the concrete. Addition of lignin is contributing to lower emissions, and improvement of the environment, since production of cement emits large volumes of carbon dioxide. One kilo of lignin used in concrete reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 20 kg.
Since the year 2000 the Biorefinery Domsjö Fabriker has invested USD 150 million (EUR 112 million). Lignin Dryer No. 2 is included in the development programme Domsjö 2012. This also includes a major modernisation and expansion of the debarking and chipping plant.
