Sea Container Pilot Plant Transforms CO2 into Useful Materials

VTT, LUT University, and partnering companies have launched a pilot plant in Espoo, Finland. The plant is designed to convert captured carbon dioxide into compounds that can replace fossil raw materials in the production of plastics and chemicals.

The pilot plant, constructed in sea containers, began operations in August. August. Finland sees significant opportunities for developing new sustainable economic activities through renewable energy, the hydrogen economy, and the utilization of bio-based carbon dioxide emissions from industrial sectors.

As part of its strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Finland plans to implement bio-based carbon capture. For instance, the Government Program aims to significantly enhance the use of technological carbon sinks.

The Forest CUMP research project, led by VTT and LUT University, explored how bio-based carbon dioxide from the forest industry and waste incineration can be captured and converted into high-value products like polypropylene and polyethylene.

Building on these promising results, VTT and its partners have established a pilot plant at the Bioruukki facility in Espoo, Finland, to bring this innovative approach to life.

Finland has huge potential to be one of the leading countries in utilizing bio-based carbon dioxide. Finland produces around 30 million tons of bio-based carbon dioxide per year. If captured and converted into products, Finland could become a major producer and exporter of polymers and transport fuels made from carbon dioxide and hydrogen.

Juha Lehtonen, Research Professor, VTT

Polypropylene and polyethylene, the most common plastics in everyday life, are currently primarily produced from fossil raw materials. These plastics play a crucial role in storing carbon dioxide in durable products.

Lehtonen added, “The technology creates a significant export opportunity for renewable high-value-added products. Due to its extensive forest industry, Finland has a huge potential to utilize bio-based carbon dioxide. Outside the Nordic countries, large sources of bio-based carbon dioxide are rare.”

The Business Ecosystem Covers the Chain from Factory Pipes to Plastic Products

The Forest CUMP project, conducted in close collaboration with business partners, is part of Business Finland's Veturi ecosystem, which promotes sustainable development. One key participant is Borealis, whose SPIRIT initiative is focused on driving the green transformation of the plastics industry.

This is a significant development project to support our vision of capturing and utilizing industrial carbon emissions by producing long-lasting or fully recyclable plastic products that can sequester carbon for a long time.

Ismo Savallampi, Project Manager, Borealis

The research covered the entire manufacturing chain, from carbon capture to the synthesis of ethylene and propylene—key precursors to polyethylene and polypropylene. At VTT's Bioruukki facility, these plastics are now being produced from flue gas carbon dioxide. This technique could be applied wherever bio-based carbon dioxide is available, such as in the forest industry or waste incineration plants.