Thermochemical conversion technologies can be used to recycle biomass and plastic waste into new raw materials. Choosing thermochemical conversion means that you can make the most of the waste you are recycling and replace fossil-based materials with high-quality, recycled materials.
Key facts about thermochemical conversion
Thermochemical conversion is a sustainable way to recycle biomass and plastics.
Virgin-grade plastic products can be produced by using thermochemical conversion as a recycling method.
Our state-of-the-art piloting facilities are perfectly suited for thermochemical conversion projects.
Better biomass and plastics recycling with thermochemical conversion
Better recycling of fossil-based materials is crucial for a more sustainable world. But recycling plastic waste mechanically degrades the quality of the material. The resulting products cannot be used in food packaging or other sensitive applications.
With thermochemical recycling methods like pyrolysis and gasification, we can significantly increase the recycling rate of plastic waste and offer an environmentally sound alternative to incineration. At VTT, we develop solutions for converting low-cost waste, such as plastics, to high-value sustainable products, like virgin-grade plastic packaging. These materials can be used even in the most challenging and strictly regulated applications, such as food packaging.
Thermochemical conversion can also be used to convert biomass residue into sustainable products, making the most of the material and lowering the carbon footprint of many operations.
Thermochemical conversion technologies offer a route to decarbonising industrial processes like steel, cement and chemical industries with sustainable feedstocks. These technologies may be integrated with existing infrastructure in a cost-efficient way. In addition, we contribute to further reductions in carbon emissions by developing hydrogen and high-value carbon products from methane.
Tailored piloting for thermochemical conversion
If you’re looking to utilize side-streams and waste and turn them into valuable materials, we can help you develop the right processes for you. With our expertise and state-of-the-art facilities, you will enjoy a shorter time-to-market and lower investment costs. Our flexible IPR policy ensures that you will own the rights to the solutions you develop with us.
Partnering with us ensures that you get the best possible process for your needs, with tried-and-tested solutions and low investment costs.
Biomass into biofuels with VTT
We have a strong track record in bringing innovations effectively from laboratory to pilot-scale and in supporting industries in their demonstration activities.
Together with our clients, we have developed pyrolysis and gasification technologies for biomass residues and plastic waste. For example, the world’s first integrated fast pyrolysis plant in Joensuu, Finland, is producing bio-oil to replace fossil fuels. In Lahti, Finland, a waste gasifier produces electricity and district heat for the city from solid recovered fuel (SRF).
How to work with us on thermochemical conversion
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Contact us
Whether you have a clearly defined project in mind or are still in the early stages of planning, we are happy to help. Tell us what you want to achieve and together we will figure out how to achieve it.
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Our experts and facilities at your service
When you work with us, you get the benefit of our expertise and our state-of-the-art facilities. This results in a shorter time-to-market and lower investment costs for you.
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Find and validate the right solutions
We have helped customers in the early stages of development to find the right thermochemical conversion solution for them, and in other cases, supported customers in validating their existing plans.
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Tailored piloting in Bioruukki
Thanks to our unique thermochemical conversion piloting facilities, you will have everything you need to pilot and scale up your solution. Every pilot is tailored to fit the requirements of the project, and you get the rights to any IP produced during development.
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Explore our infrastructure
VTT Bioruukki pilot centre is an innovation platform for new bio-based products and circular economy solutions. In the laboratories and pilot plant customer organisations of any size can develop and scale up innovations and processes, accelerating their innovation cycles.
Our thermochemical conversion infrastructure supports companies in developing and piloting carbonisation, liquefaction, gasification, and synthesis gas processes.
Video: Thermochemical conversion
