UPM and Andritz/Carbona team up for biomass based synthetic gas production

May 23, 2007. /Lesprom Network/. Global forestry company UPM, international technology group Andritz and its associated company Carbona intend to co-operate on the development of the technology for biomass gasification and synthetic gas purification. Gasification technology is required for the production of synthetic gas that will feed the Fischer-Tropsch based second generation biodiesel production facility. The companies plan to start the joint testing project of Carbona's gasification technology at the Gas Technology Institute’s pilot plant located close to Chicago in the United States. Laboratory testing and modification of GTI's test plant would start in July. The institute has equipment which can be applied for synthetic gas production under conditions similar to commercial scale plants. Estimated total costs of the piloting are Euro 5 to 10 million. Pilot testing is expected to be finished by the end of 2008. The co-operation also covers the design and supply of a commercial scale biomass gasification plants. UPM announced in October 2006 that it will strongly increase its stake in second generation biodiesel in the next few years and prepares to become a significant producer of renewable biofuels. The main raw material used in UPM's biodiesel production will be wood based biomass. The company is already known for making efficient use of biomass in production of paper and wood products as well as in energy generation. Locating biodiesel production plants adjacent to existing UPM pulp or paper mills would further enhance the company's ability to utilise the wood raw material efficiently. Andritz has a comprehensive product portfolio for biomass starting from wood handling equipment, dryers and pellet machines to fluid bed boilers and gasifiers for lime kilns. Recent addition of Carbona’s special gasification technology enables further gasification applications to complement the product family.