CO2 capture and supply
We capture CO2 from our flue gases. The CO2 from our CO2 capture plant is used to make new products. Think of e.g. baking powder, fertilisers for greenhouse horticulture, or dry ice.
CO2 as a raw material
At Twence, we are constantly looking for ways to reduce our own CO2 emissions. By capturing it and reusing it as a raw material, we are helping to reduce those emissions. CO2 capture and reuse is also known as CCU - Carbon Capture Utilisation. In other words, we are bringing valuable raw materials back into the cycle.
What can you use CO2 for?
CO2 can serve a variety of purposes. We highlight a number of them.
CO2 as fertiliser for greenhouse horticulture
Greenhouse horticulture must become more sustainable in the years to come and is making the switch from natural gas to geothermal energy as a way to heat greenhouses. Lower consumption of natural gas means lower CO2 emissions for the horticulturalists. The demand for liquid CO2 is set to rise as a result. Liquid CO2 is very suitable for use during the growing season to help plants grow in the greenhouses.
CO2 as an additive in the production of building materials
CO2 can be used as an additive in the application of cement (substitutes). In this way, it can contribute to cutting down on CO2 in the production of clinkers and building blocks. You can also use CO2 to speed up the ageing process of bottom ash coming from waste-to-energy plants. In combination with supplementary process steps, the bottom ash can be upgraded to a clean and readily usable product, for example as a substitute for sand and gravel. By using it in building products, CO2 is permanently fixed and therefore removed from the cycle.
CO2 fuels and sustainable energy
At some point in the future, energy carriers, such as formic acid and methanol, will also be able to be made from CO2. The chemical industry is looking for sustainable alternatives for fossil carbons, oil and natural gas. There is also a need for effective storage of renewable energy such as solar and wind energy. CO2, in combination with hydrogen, offers opportunities for this. Together with the Dutch company Coval Energy B.V., Twence is looking into potential ways for the production of formic acid out of the captured CO2. Formic acid can be used in the chemical sector or for the storage of (sustainable) energy.
CO2 for the foodstuffs industry
Some well-known applications of CO2 are as a coolant in the transport of perishable goods, the use of CO2 in soft drinks, or in the packaging of vegetables. This is only possible if the CO2 meets the strict requirements of the food and beverage industry. Twence is designing the new CO2 plant in such a way that the CO2 will comply with those requirements.
How does CO2 capture work in practice?
CO2 is generated through the incineration of non-recyclable waste. We clean our flue gases in order to emit as little CO2 as possible through our chimney. Consequently, what you can see coming out of our chimney is largely made up of water vapour. We capture this CO2 when cleaning the flue gas. We convert this - in combination with soda - into baking powder, a raw material for our own flue gas cleaning process. We also liquefy CO2 so that it can be used, for example, as a fertiliser in greenhouse horticulture. The product can also be used for other high-grade applications. Think of e.g. the foodstuffs industry, construction, chemistry and in sustainable fuels.
What if there are insufficient reuse applications?
The development of technology for CO2 application takes time. If there is insufficient demand for reuse of CO2, Twence will soon be able to have CO2 stored underground in empty gas fields under the North Sea. In this way, CO2 emissions will still be reduced. CO2 storage can also be used if the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere continues to rise too much.
Results
CO2 as a new raw material
The captured CO2 is reused as a raw material. This is how we reduce CO2 emissions and close cycles.
CO2 for a wide range of applications
Liquid CO2 is suitable for a wide range of applications. For example, as a fertiliser in greenhouse horticulture, additives for construction, raw materials for sustainable energy, and for coolants (dry ice) in the foodstuffs industry.
Innovation power
We keep on innovating. We are exploring the opportunities for the production of formic acid with CO2. Formic acid can be put to use in the chemical sector.News and projects on CO2 capture and supply
Get in contact with us
Any questions or comments?
Do you have any questions about CO2 capture and supply? We'd love to hear what's on your mind. Please fill in the form and we will get in touch with you.
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