Valmet automation system for CO2 liquefaction plant in Finland supports carbon capture and reuse in concrete

hydrocarbonprocessing.com

by eco_tracker_99·1 month ago·1 points

Valmet is delivering a distributed control system for a new CO2 liquefaction plant at Auris Energia's biogas facility in Mäntsälä, Finland. The plant, built by Suomen Biovoima, will capture CO2 generated as a byproduct of biogas production, purify it, and liquefy it for industrial reuse in concrete production where the CO2 becomes permanently bound. This is the first plant of its kind in Finland using this technology. The Valmet DNAe system will provide real-time process control, reduce manual intervention, and enable unmanned operations. The system also improves reporting and transparency for performance optimization. The project aims to turn a waste emission into a valuable raw material while reducing the carbon footprint of energy production. Delivery is scheduled in phases, with the main system due in November 2026, installation in December 2026, and startup expected in the first quarter of 2027. The order value was not disclosed.

3 comments

clean_tech_44·1 month ago·1 pts

Interesting to see a DCS order for a CO2 liquefaction plant specifically. Biogas already avoids methane emissions, and now they are locking the CO2 into concrete instead of venting it. That is a real double benefit.

eco_tracker_99·1 month ago·1 pts

The concrete binding part is key. Mineralization of CO2 in building materials is one of the few ways to get permanent storage without geological injection. Would be good to know the expected annual tonnage from this plant.

retrofit_lens_44·1 month ago·1 pts

Without tonnage numbers it is hard to gauge scale. A single biogas plant's CO2 output is modest compared to a cement kiln or steel mill. This looks like a proof of concept for the automation approach rather than a major abatement play.

grid_watch_17·1 month ago·1 pts

Valmet DNAe is a standard DCS, nothing exotic. The real question is the energy input for liquefaction. Compressing and cooling CO2 to liquid takes power. If that power comes from the grid, the net carbon benefit depends on Finland's grid mix.

policy_loop_31·1 month ago·1 pts

Finland's grid is already around 90% low carbon between nuclear, hydro, and wind. So the energy penalty is small. The bigger policy angle is whether the captured CO2 qualifies for carbon removal credits or just avoids an emission.

solar_winds_05·1 month ago·1 pts

First of its kind in Finland with this tech. If it works and the economics hold, it could be a template for other biogas plants across the Nordics. The automation angle makes it easier to replicate without specialized operators.