Pyrolyse oil for FrieslandCampina
Twence makes pyrolysis oil from non-recyclable woody biomass. FrieslandCampina uses this sustainable oil in its production processes.
What is pyrolyse oil?
In the pyrolysis plant on the Boortorenweg in Hengelo, we produce pyrolysis oil and steam. Non-recyclable woody biomass forms the raw materials for this plant. Oil is produced by applying extreme heat for a very short period of time to this biomass. We call this process pyrolysis, hence the name pyrolysis oil. Using this method, we are able to produce about 650 kg of oil from every 1,000 kg of biomass. FrieslandCampina uses this sustainable oil as green energy in its milk powder factory in Borculo. We produce steam from the residual materials that remain behind after the pyrolysis process. We then supply this steam to Nobian directly. The energy supplied to FrieslandCampina and Nobian is comparable to the natural gas consumption of 8,000 households.
Alternative fuel
Pyrolysis oil constitutes a good alternative to petroleum. This makes it a sustainable fuel that is helping to drive down the use of fossil fuels. It is a wonderful form of a biobased economy, a cycle that is based on organic raw materials.
How does the process of making pyrolysis oil work?
The pyrolysis process was originally developed at the University of Twente decades ago. The Enschede-based company BTG-BTL then spent years fine-tuning the technique. The same thing happens in the plant as what takes place in large oil refineries. In the pyrolysis process, biomass is brought into contact with hot sand. Pyrolysis oil is produced from wood by heating the woody material to an extremely high temperature for a very short period of time. We store the oil in a tank and deliver it to FrieslandCampina.
What does FrieslandCampina do with pyrolysis oil?
FrieslandCampina has a production site in Borculo where they make the milk and whey powder ingredients for, amongst other things, baby milk and sports powders. The oil they get from us is injected with natural gas, which is then used to produce steam. They use this steam to evaporate liquid milk into powder. In other words, they use it as a type of fuel for their production processes.
Results
15% less CO2 emissions
By using pyrolysis oil in its production process, FrieslandCampina is saving 15% on CO2 emissions.
In-house energy supply
We use the energy released (heat and electricity) for our own energy supply at Empyro. Therefore, we are self-sufficient.
"The biomass needs to meet a number of criteria so that we can produce oil with the highest possible yield. Our goal is to produce oil and energy as sustainably as possible.”
Ido Sellis, Business Developer Innovation & Projects
"At the time in 2015 when we needed a new boiler for steam production, Empyro knocked on our door. Whether we would be interested in using the pyrolysis oil that they were going to start producing in their pilot plant. That fitted in perfectly with our plans to cut down on the use of natural gas, and that's how a close partnership was born."
Rudi van der Arend, sustainability manager FrieslandCampinaContact us
Any questions or comments?
Do you have any questions about the Empyro pyrolysis plant or pyrolysis oil? We'd love to hear what's on your mind. Please fill in the form and we will get in touch with you.
Martijn van den Bos
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