New possibilities for Westenergy - now a part of the European network for carbon capture and utilization

Westenergy has joined the CO₂ Value Europe association that was founded in 2017. The association’s goal is to be an ambassador for carbon capture and utilization (CCU). Through their work they aim to help develop a viable ecosystem for CCU on an industrial scale. To be part of this network supports Westenergy’s vision of waste-to-energy sector being a part of sustainable carbon recycling.

CO₂ Value Europe is an international non-profit association that represents the entire CCU value chain. The association has created a network of actors that share the vision of CCU technology being an important part of reaching the climate targets. This technology provides a varied array of solutions for sectors that use copious amounts of carbon and have limited possibilities to tackle climate change. The association finds that carbon recycling should not replace climate activities but complement them.

Westenergy is now part of this network with over 100 organizations. The association has members in several sectors – corporations, research and educational institutions. CO₂ Value Europe’s mission is to develop circular and feasible solutions for CCU on an industrial scale that promote the transition to more sustainable ecosystems. This mission is in line with Westenergy’s strategic visions that aim to promote the development of circular economy and carbon-neutral energy production.

Westenergy’s vision of carbon-neutral energy production has been actualized with Energy Carbon Capture & Utilisation (ECCU) project. The designed carbon capture plant is going to remove about 95 % of the carbon dioxide from the flue gases of the existing plant. This amount is equal to the annual carbon dioxide emissions of around 20,000 people. In addition to the climate benefits, this project is a significant step towards a sustainable circular economy in Finland, as it enables the capture and utilization of carbon dioxide that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere, to be used in the manufacturing of new products.

Illustration of the carbon capture plant which will be commissioned in 2026 in Mustasaari, close to Westenergy

The goal is that the project will help foster the development of a carbon recycling-based industry in Finland, particularly in the Vaasa region. The carbon that is captured will be supplied to produce synthetic fuels at Koppö Energia in Kristiinankaupunki. Additionally, Westenergy aims to supply carbon dioxide for the production of permanently carbon-storing products in the future, to replace fossil carbon sources in different industries. As an example, the European chemical industry uses hundreds of millions of tons of fossil oil for manufacturing different products annually.

Westenergy’s CEO Olli Alhoniemi sees the membership in the European network for carbon capture and utilization as an opportunity. “We are thankful to be a part of CO₂ Value Europe. The association and its network of members support extremely well Westenergy’s vision of CCU and carbon recycling. We will take part in the association with great interest. We have already noted that the associations is truly active in their operation” states Alhoniemi.

If you want to know more about the association, please visit their website: CO₂Value Europe: the non-profit association representing CCU community

Further information:

Olli Alhoniemi, CEO

Westenergy Ltd

olli.alhoniemi(a)westenergy.fi