HELSINKI, Dec. 4, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Stora Enso is
investing EUR 14 million to build a
granulation and packing plant for lignin, allowing easier packing
and handling of lignin compared to powder and wet form. According
to Stora Enso's strategy, lignin is one of the key innovation areas
for delivering growth on new applications, such as energy storage,
binders and carbon fiber. The granulation plant will be located at
Stora Enso's Sunila Mill in Finland.
lignin is one of the main building blocks of a tree. Today, the
lignin produced at Sunila Mill, Lineo™ by Stora Enso, is delivered
as a dusty powder or as wet lignin. It is used, for example, as a
phenol replacement in adhesives, as a bio-based natural binder
replacing bitumen in asphalt, and in bioplastics. In the future, it
can be used as a source of biocarbon in energy storage systems such
as batteries for electric vehicles, as bio-based binders in plywood
and as material for carbon fiber.
Producing lignin in granulated form enables more effective
handling and packing of the product. This further strengthens Stora
Enso's capabilities in replacing fossil-based raw materials, while
supporting a more sustainable supply chain.
"This investment helps us in providing our customers with a more
efficient way of handling dry lignin and delivering it in bulk
containers. In addition to reducing both packaging and
transportation costs, packing granulated lignin will be easier and
faster compared to the dry powder used today, which requires
special equipment," says Markus Mannström, Executive Vice
President of Stora Enso's Biomaterials division.
The construction of the granulation plant is estimated to begin
by the end of the second quarter of 2021 and to be complete in the
second quarter of 2022.
Stora Enso has been producing lignin industrially at its Sunila
Mill in Finland since 2015. The
annual production capacity is 50 000 tonnes, making Stora Enso the
largest kraft lignin producer in the world.
Part of the bioeconomy, Stora Enso is a leading global provider
of renewable solutions in packaging, biomaterials, wooden
constructions and paper. We believe that everything that is made
from fossil-based materials today can be made from a tree tomorrow.
Stora Enso has some 25 000 employees in over 30 countries. Our
sales in 2019 were EUR 10.1 billion.
Stora Enso shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki (STEAV, STERV) and
Nasdaq Stockholm (STE A, STE R). In addition, the shares are traded
in the USA as ADRs (SEOAY).
storaenso.com
STORA ENSO OYJ
For further information, please contact:
Ingrid Peura
SVP, Communications, Biomaterials
tel. +358 50 307 0026
Investor enquiries:
Ulla PaajanenSVP,
Investor Relationstel.
+358 40 763 8767
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