Outokumpu wants to use CO2 separation to produce synthetic fuels

Stainless steel producer Outokumpu and Q Power are working on the production of synthetic methane using power-to-X technology in Tornio, Finland. This is another step towards decarbonising stainless steel.

Outokumpu is researching the potential of carbon capture and utilization (CCU). The aim is to use emissions generated by steel production to yield raw materials for the manufacture of new products like synthetic fuels. To this end, Outokumpu has signed a memorandum of understanding with Q Power, a Finnish supplier of power-to-X technology, in order to research the production of synthetic methane at the largest Outokumpu site in Tornio, Finland.
The memorandum aims to closely examine the ecosystem necessary to produce synthetic methane from a technical, financial and commercial aspect. The project supports the decarbonisation goals of Outokumpu, as it researches the option to separate carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide from the company’s production processes and use them as raw material for the production of synthetic methane. The main goal is to produce e-fuel to decrease the dependence on fossil sources like LNG.
“The long-term vision of Outokumpu is carbon-neutral, waste-free production of stainless steel. CCU technology is a key technology on our way to carbon neutrality”, says Stefan Erdmann, Chief Technology Officer at Outokumpu. According to him, Q Power, with their state-of-the-art technology, is an exciting opportunity for the company to research different options. “We need strong partnerships to drive forward the circular economy which reuses and repurposes even waste products and emissions in order to minimise the impact on climate and maximise efficiency”, says Erdmann.
Synthetic methane or e-methane is a synthetic gas made from renewable hydrogen and recycled CO2. E-methane can wholly replace natural gas and biogas. Liquefied, it can also wholly replace LNG and can be transported using already existing infrastructure.
Source: Outokumpu