May 16 2021 – Release here
Cortus Energy tests to produce renewable biocrude oil together with Haldor Topsoe and RISE
Cortus, together with the Danish catalyst specialist Haldor Topsoe and RISE, the Research Institute of Sweden, has started a project to test on a small scale on site in Höganäs to produce renewable biocrude oil by hydrogenation of pyrolysis gas. Vinnova has granted the project a support of 0,5 MSEK SEK. The project starts in May and will end in November this year.
In the pyrolysis process in WoodRoll®, pyrolysis gas is generated. Combustion of the pyrolysis gas adds the necessary heat to the gasification process in the standard setup. With this new variant of WoodRoll®, the pyrolysis gas can instead be upgraded to renewable biocrude oil by hydrogenation (reaction with hydrogen gas). Cortus has a patented solution for hydrogenation of pyrolysis gas, WoodRoll® 6.0. Cortus biohydrogen and pyrolysis gas becomes, in this new process setup, via a catalytic process renewable pure bio-hydrocarbon (biocrude oil). The renewable biocrude oil can, for example, replace the use of fossil crude oil in refineries to reduce climate footprints and meet renewable quotas. The test project is Cortus’ first step in developing the WoodRoll® technology towards refineries for the production of bio-based liquid fuels and renewable chemicals.
“This project holds a promising potential, as it explores the opportunity of producing advanced biofuels with a significantly lower carbon footprint than fossil-based fuels. We are pleased that our catalyst and technology will be put into use, as this project is perfectly in line with our ambition of delivering carbon emission reductions together with our customers,” says Kim Grøn Knudsen, Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer at Topsoe.
“An incredibly exciting test where we test if it is possible in a couple of hours in a WoodRoll® process to produce bio-crude oil that can replace fossil crude oil that took a million years to form,” says Rolf Ljunggren, founder and CEO of Cortus.
“We are taking another important step to exploit the full potential of what Cortus WoodRoll® technology can achieve. A successful test result opens further doors to new markets “, says Håkan Sigfridsson, CEO of Cortus.
About Haldor Topsoe
Haldor Topsoe is a global leader in supply of catalysts, technology, and services to the chemical and refining industries. Topsoe aims to be the global leader within carbon emission reduction technologies by 2024. By perfecting chemistry for a better world, we enable our customers to succeed in the transition towards renewable energy. Topsoe is headquartered in Denmark and serves customers around the globe. In 2020, our revenue was approximately DKK 6.2 billion, and we employ around 2,100 employees. www.topsoe.com
About RISE
RISE is Sweden’s research institute and innovation partner. We offer international collaboration with companies, academia and the public sector to a competitive business community and a sustainable society. Our 2,800 employees drive and support all types of innovation processes. RISE is an independent, state-of-the-art research institute that offers unique expertise and around 100 test and demonstration environments for future-proof technologies, products and services.
About Cortus Energy
Cortus Energy AB develops and markets the unique WoodRoll® technology which gasifies biomass in a new innovative way that results in a number of unique advantages over all other existing gasification technology. With the patented WoodRoll® technology, Cortus Energy can offer green energy solutions for power, industrial and transport applications. WoodRoll® has great fuel flexibility, which means that the process can utilize low-value renewable fuels without compromising process performance. Cortus Energy currently has two WoodRoll® facilities, a test facility in Köping since 2011 and a commercial facility in Höganäs taking into operation 2021.
Cortus Energy’s shares are listed on the Nasdaq First North Growth Market. Mangold Fondkommission AB, e-mail: [email protected], 08-503 015 50, is the company’s Certified Adviser.