Westenergy’s waste-to-energy plant, which is based in Finland, specifically Mustasaari, will have its front-end engineering design (FEED) performed by ANDRITZ. The FEED will specifically be for a large-scale carbon capture unit within the waste-to-energy plant.

The plan for the project, is that the carbon captured at Westenergy’s plant would be supplied to a power-to-x plant, which is currently planned to be built in Kristinestad, Finland. The purpose of supplying the carbon in this way, will be for the system to produce synthetic e-fuels from green hydrogen and carbon dioxide. On top of this, ANDRITZ has also supplied the FEED for the green hydrogen plant for the Kristinestad project.

ANDRITZ’s role as the FEED contractor, is to refine the carbon capture plant concept, as well as to prepare the design documentation as a basis for the joint venture’s final investment decision. The purpose of this concept is to place a focus on the optimal integration of the carbon capture process into the waste-to-energy plant. This will be done with the intention of the process maximising the utilisation of available heat and the reuse of residues, within a closed loop.

One of the most significant details of this project, is that it will make a significant contribution to decarbonisation, as well as to the circular economy.

The order for this project was received from ECCU Ltd, a joint venture of Westenergy Ltd, CPC Finland Oy and funds managed by Prime Capital AG. It has been made clear that the aim for this project is for it to capture all the carbon dioxide from the flue gases of the Mustasaari waste-to-energy plant. This is so important, as it is this plant which produces district heating and electricity from sorted, non-recyclable municipal waste. Following being captured, the carbon dioxide will then be liquefied and then a substantial portion of it will be made available, with the intention to produce carbon-neutral synthetic e-fuels.

The next steps for this project, is for the joint venture to decide whether or not the project will be implemented in early 2025.

Managing Director of Westenergy, Olli Alhoniemi, commented, “The FEED phase is critical to the implementation of our decarbonization project, which will help us take a significant step towards a more sustainable future. We are pleased to partner with ANDRITZ, whose technical expertise, proactive approach, and full life cycle services have impressed us.”