Siemens Energy to electrify first-of-its-kind bio refinery in Germany
Finnish company UPM-Kymmene has chosen Siemens Energy to supply electrification, automation, and digitisation (EAD) packages for a next-generation biorefinery currently under construction in Leuna, Germany.
The biorefinery will be the first industrial-scale facility of its type ever built. It will apply novel process innovations to sustainably convert 100% wood into bio-based mono-ethylene glycol (MEG) and mono-propylene glycol (MPG), as well as renewable functional fillers (RFF).
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Both MEG and MPG have traditionally been produced using fossil-based raw materials. UPM will provide alternatives to considerably reduce the CO2 footprint of end-products such as PET bottles, packaging materials, textiles or rubber products used in various automotive applications.
Siemens Energy’s scope of supply for the project includes electrification, automation and digitisation - the company will supply a complete digital twin for the entire plant, covering the mill’s whole life cycle – from integrated engineering to integrated operation.
We are confident that the bio-based mono-ethylene glycol, mono-propylene glycol, and renewable functional fillers made in Leuna will meet the strong demand of customers and end-users looking to change towards a truly sustainable portfolio,” said Juuso Konttinen, vice president UPM Biochemicals.
“By implementing Siemens Energy’s digitisation solutions and digital twin, we can help ensure safe and efficient operations.”
The Leuna Biorefinery will be a big step for UPM to expand its business into wood-based biomolecular products and solutions. The biorefinery is scheduled for start-up in late 2022. When fully operational, it will have a total annual capacity of 220,000 tonnes.
Jennifer Hooper, Senior Vice President, Industrial Applications Solutions for Siemens Energy, commented: “As a global leader in industrial decarbonisation, we are proud to be selected as a trusted partner and facilitator for this ground-breaking project. We look forward to helping UPM reduce the world’s reliance on chemicals produced from fossil fuels as we move toward creating a more sustainable world.”
UPM is one of the lighthouse projects for the industrial bio-economy. In Leuna, UPM has invested €550 million in a biorefinery producing renewable chemicals from wood.
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The refinery will be one of the first industrial-scale projects to convert sustainable hardwood into renewable glycols and renewable functional fillers.
With more than 100 employees in commercial, research and development and operations roles, UPM will support the region's economic development and the generation of the green chemistry excellence cluster in Leuna.
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