- A €10 million investment will fund a second CO2 recovery unit at North Sea Port.
- The new unit will be operational by spring 2022, capturing 160,000 tons of CO2 annually.
- This increases CO2 capture capacity by 60% compared to current levels.
- The CO2 will be reused in industries like food, beverage, and greenhouse horticulture.
Investment in CO2 Recovery
The Alco Group biorefinery Alco Bio Fuel (ABF), along with Messer Benelux and IJsfabriek Strombeek, is investing €10 million in a second carbon dioxide recovery unit at North Sea Port in Ghent, Belgium. This new unit will be operational by spring 2022 and will increase the annual capture of green CO2 to 160,000 tons, a 60% rise from the current capacity.
CO2 Capture and Utilization
During the processing of biomass into bio-ethanol at ABF, CO2 is released. This biomass, which absorbs CO2 during its growth, also produces proteins for animal feed and corn oil. The captured and treated CO2 can be reused in various industries, including food and beverage, greenhouse horticulture, water purification, refrigerated transport, and as a chemical raw material. Additionally, CO2 in its solid form, known as dry ice, serves as a cooling and cleaning agent.
Environmental Impact
Including a previous investment made five years ago, a total of €25 million will have been invested to capture, process, and utilize 160,000 tons of CO2 annually, equivalent to removing 117,000 cars from Belgian roads. This initiative not only reduces the CO2 footprint of bioethanol but also expands ABF's product range.
Climate-Neutral Goals
Alco Bio Fuel views this investment as a significant step towards climate-neutral production. CEO Charles-Albert Peers emphasized the company's commitment to achieving climate neutrality by 2030, ahead of the European target of 2050. The project exemplifies effective CO2 removal from the atmosphere, which Peers deems essential for climate neutrality.
Support from North Sea Port
North Sea Port CEO Daan Schalck expressed support for the investment, highlighting its contribution to both the production process and consumer products, aligning with the port's climate-neutral objectives.
