Repurposing is at the heart of circularity as it reduces waste, emissions, and reliance on scarce resources by extending the life of material inputs. It also finds new, often surprising functions or purposes for existing resources, which creates new value.
Climate change is spurring innovation around the world, fostering a renewed emphasis on repurposing resources. Scaling these innovations requires strategic partnerships, through which knowledge, ideas and expertise are shared and maximized.
Enabling renewable energy storage
Sulzer recently announced its contribution to the world’s first pilot plant for renewable energy storage in molten hydroxide salts as part of an industrial research consortium. Working with industry members as well as educational institutes and government agencies, the Molten Salts Storage (MOSS) plant situated in Esbjerg, Denmark, is being built for scalability. Using Hyme Energy’s energy storage technology and Sulzer’s custom VNY molten salt pump, the plant will confirm the commercial viability of storing renewable energy in molten hydroxide salts.
MOSS is an excellent example of how salt, an abundant and affordable resource, can be repurposed to store thermal energy. More significantly, it demonstrates how intermittent energy like wind and solar power can be transformed into a reliable and consistent energy source through repurposing.
Improving efficiencies and transport emissions
Sulzer is proud to pioneer technologies and processes that are enabling the highest levels of efficiency around the world, including the development of sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels.
With sugarcane waste from conventional bioethanol production, Sulzer flow equipment technologies and expertise is supporting Raizen’s second generation ethanol (E2G) production in Brazil. This enables potential efficiency gains of up to 50%. Moreover, E2G emits 97% less greenhouse gas than gasoline, contributing to significant decarbonization potential for the transport industry.
In Canada, a range of Sulzer pump solutions are being utilized to repurpose locally grown rapeseed (canola), traditionally used as a vegetable oil, to a bio-feedstock for net zero diesel production at scale. Our technology enables the catalytic process that breaks down the canola oil by ensuring the critically high pressure and temperature ratings. With completion of the refinery expansion planned for March 2024, annual production of one billion liters of net zero diesel is expected to generate an annual carbon reduction of three million tons — the equivalent of taking 650’000 vehicles off the road.
By reducing the need to harvest new resources, repurposing existing resources effectively saves energy, cuts emissions and reduces waste. It can also create new job opportunities and markets, contributing to a more sustainable and innovative economy.
Wood-based sustainable products
In the latest volume of Advanced Zero Waste Tools on waste management practices, it is projected that approximately EUR 600 billion in savings can be achieved through eco-design, waste inhibition and reuse strategies.1 Disrupting traditional manufacturing processes with the infusion of new bio-based raw materials and processes in the production of industrial and consumer goods is a good example of how this could be employed.
A recent report by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation noted that some 60% of materials used for consumer good and housing are sourced from plants and trees. Regrettably, a mere 8.6% of these materials are recycled.2 Given the current reliance on plants and trees for human well-being and development, there is a growing emphasis on circular economies within the wood-based industry, with particular focus on waste management.3
Recognizing the broad potential of renewable materials to replace fossil-based materials, players in the industry are widening their scope of research from conventional wood-based materials to non-wood and recycled raw materials. One such example is microfibrillated cellulose, a plant-based biodegradable substance made from wood pulp. This short fibrous material is proving to be an excellent alternative to petrochemical-based plastic amongst other applications.
Drawing on our extensive experience with wood-based materials, Sulzer has recently invested in a full-scale strategic test laboratory in Finland. The goal is to develop process technologies for multiple renewable feedstocks, including wood foam enhanced with microfibrillated cellulose, to support customers in reaching industrial scale. We are currently working with several industry players to commercialize this technology, which will pave the way for the manufacturing of a broad range of new sustainable and bio-compatible products and thereby accelerate circular economies.
Recycling waste and recapturing valueFebruary 21, 2024As the basis of life on earth, carbon is present in most materials. Thus, when industrial and consumer goods are no longer of use and mechanical recycling options have been exhausted, chemistry becomes the hidden force that serves to reduce ecological impacts.
Bridging the gap with ingenuityFebruary 21, 2024Sulzer is passionate about offering lifecycle solutions for a sustainable world. Our solutions make installed rotating equipment run more efficiently, use less fuel and operate sustainably with improved performance across many industries.
