The Norwegian Circa Group AS, Vataset Industries Ltd. and the Kemijarvi Biorefinery Ltd. have signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the Kemijarvi Biopark.
The companies are investigating the feasibility of a renewable chemicals manufacturing facility.
Since 2020, Vataset has developed a circular economy-based biopark in Kemijarvi, specializing in the chemical wood processing. The Kemijärvi Biorefinery specializes in processing biomass. The operations of CIRCA and the Kemijärvi Biorefinery have synergistic benefits. Sustainable utilization of renewable natural resources and high environmental values are in the core of the companies.
“Kemijarvi has a long tradition in wood processing and is well positioned to host our production facility. We have developed our products and production in cooperation with the Finnish VTT and Valmet, and we value Finnish know-how in the field. We see a lot of opportunities in cooperation with Kemijarvi Biorefinery and Vataset,” says Tony Duncan, CEO of Circa.
Circa’s flagship product is a bio-based solvent, Cyrene, which requires biomass levoglucosenone (LGO) to produce. Cyrene is suitable for e.g. for paints and coatings. “Industries moving away from fossil raw materials require alternatives that work in practise. Circa offers an innovative, more environmentally friendly alternative for the fossils based chemicals. We are happy to cooperate with Circa”, says Harri Vatanen from Kemijarvi Biorefinery.
Bertel Karlstedt, who was responsible for Valmet’s pulp and energy businesses, will start as Circa’s new CEO from the beginning of 2024. “I’ve known the Kemijärvi biorefinery project for a long time, and I’m looking forward to our cooperation in the Kemijarvi Biopark”, says Karlstedt.
Source: Vataset
