”It is a highly interesting project which might lead to less need of fossil fuels,” says David Blomberg, project leader Processum. “We study the possibilities to produce bio oil by depolymerising the lignin to smaller components. The liquid bio oil might be suitable as a substitute for heating oil internally at a pulp mill as well as externally.”

“Sometimes during the year we have an energy surplus, enabling us to remove lignin. This would relieve the recovery boilers and also give us the possibility to refine the lignin,” says Stina Drotz, Laboratory Manager, Metsä Board Husum Mills. “We hope that this trial will result in a technical possibility to convert lignin towards bio oil, thus generating a new “green” product.”

“It is exciting to be part of a project with such a potential with participants from both Norway and Sweden,” comments Karin Øyaas, Research Manager Paper and Novel Materials, PFI. “By combining competence irrespective of geographical location we can achieve results quicker and more efficiently.” The project will be finalised during the autumn 2013.