PRESS RELEASE
The collaboration between Chempolis and Fortum is deepening
Biorefining company Chempolis and energy company Fortum have signed a collaboration agreement until 2023.
Under the agreement, Chempolis will perform test runs of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin samples for Fortum´s needs at its test facility in Oulu, as well as engineering work for commercial biorefinery projects. Samples are prepared using Chempolis’ patented fractionation technology. With the agreement, Chempolis will increase up to 20 times the sample production capacity at the Oulu plant. The agreement will have a significant impact on Chempolis’ personnel recruitment needs.
The long-term goal of the collaboration is to build several Fortum-owned biorefineries based on Chempolis’ technology.
“The collaboration agreement is one significant step in Chempolis’ growth. In addition, the collaboration with a global EPC contractor that began at the end of 2019 will enable Chempolis’ technology-based biorefineries to be delivered to our customers on a turnkey basis. With strong growth, we are making significant investments, operational development and recruitment in all our operations”, says Tomi Honkala, CEO of Chempolis.
“Collaboration with Chempolis is key to the progress of Fortum’s development project. Our goal is to develop and bring to the markets with partners the most environmentally friendly products as possible using straw as a raw material. Chempolis’ technology and know-how play a very important role in the efficient processing of straws”, says Risto Sormunen, Head of Fortum’s Bio2X Development.
The previously announced collaboration between Chempolis and Fortum to build the world’s first biorefinery using bamboo as a raw material in Assam, Northeast India, continues as planned. The main equipment purchases of the biorefinery rising to the city of Numaligarh have been made. Production is expected to start in 2022.
For further information, please contact: Tomi Honkala, President and CEO, Chempolis tel. +358 40 59 19 504 and Risto Sormunen, Head of Fortum’s Bio2X Development tel. +358 50 45 34 615.