Södra is investing approximately USD 19 million to build the first commercial kraft lignin facility in Sweden and the largest of its kind in the world, expected to commence operation in 2027.
Jul 5, 2024
As part of its strategy to get more out of every tree, Södra is establishing a new business to become a world leader in the production of kraft lignin. The Swedish forest industry group has selected international technology group Andritz to supply a complete solution for kraft lignin production to its Mönsterås pulp mill in Sweden.
Södra is investing approximately USD 19 million to build the first commercial kraft lignin facility in Sweden and the largest of its kind in the world. It is expected to start operation in 2027 enabled through the Swedish Energy Agency and The Industrial Leap via NextGenerationEU.
Kraft lignin is a by-product of pulp production for paper. Today, lignin is used for generating energy, but it can also be used as a renewable resource to replace fossil-based materials in the chemical industry or form the basis for new biofuels.
The refining process Södra is investing in will make more use of the raw material as a product. This is in line with Södra’s strategy to make the most of the wood used in pulp production and create more value for the forest estate.
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”The forest is being called on for many things as society seeks to replace fossil-based materials. To succeed in that transition, sustainability and profitability need to go hand in hand and Södra’s kraft lignin investment is a good example of that. We will make more out of every tree and strengthen our profitability. This is a big investment for Södra and the green transition,” says Lotta Lyrå, CEO of Södra.
“This investment means a lot for Södra and for our kraft pulp mill in Mönsterås. We will make more out of every tree and strengthen our profitability. This is a big investment for Södra and the green transition,” says Karin Dernegård, Mill Manager at Södra Cell Mönsterås.
ANDRITZ will supply a system to recover the lignin contained in the black liquor from the pulping process, making it available to Södra as a saleable product. The scope of supply will also include supporting systems that improve the mill’s environmental performance and ensure full integration of lignin recovery into the existing operations.
The system will be based on the innovative ANDRITZ LignaRecTM lignin recovery process. The lignin drying section, equipped with flash dryer technology, will further process the kraft lignin, ensuring a top-quality product. The integration of the LignaRec process into the Mönsterås pulp mill will be completed by the installation of an ANDRITZ SulfoLoopTM sulfuric acid plant. This plant enables the closure of the sulfur loop, avoiding the purge of sulfate streams even after lignin recovery is implemented.
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Lignin and sulfur recovery solutions are part of ANDRITZ’s CircleToZero initiative, which aims to maximize the use of side streams in pulp mills, laying the foundation for zero emissions and zero waste production. With the new order, Södra continues its collaboration with ANDRITZ on the reuse of side streams. The company already operates an ANDRITZ KraftanolTM biomethanol plant at its Mönsterås mill. This plant is the first of its kind in the world to convert by-products of pulp production into purified biomethanol.
“We are very pleased that Södra has once again placed its trust in us to implement a first-of-its-kind solution that supports the green transition and at the same time opens up new business opportunities,” says Joachim Schönbeck, President and CEO of ANDRITZ.
