SMA Mineral has earned a Bronze Medal, a recognition awarded to the Top 35% of companies assessed by EcoVadis in the 12 months prior to the medal issue date.
It reflects the quality of the company’s sustainability management system and demonstrates a commitment to promoting transparency throughout the value chain.
EcoVadis is recognized globally for trusted business sustainability ratings.
Filipstad, Sweden, 10.05. 2024 – SMA Mineral (SMA) and eFuels leader Infinium has reached an agreement that will advance the development of their respective project at the Mo Industripark in Mo i Rana, Norway. The Infinium facility will utilize the carbon dioxide (CO2) that SMA will produce at its Zero Emission Quick Lime (ZEQL) manufacturing facility in the industrial park as a feedstock for the production of eFuels.
Infinium uses CO2 and renewable power to produce eFuels products including its sustainable aviation fuel, Infinium eSAF. Infinium eFuels can be used in existing engines and traditional infrastructure with no modifications, providing a market-ready alternative to petroleum-based products. The use of eFuels aids in the decarbonization of heavy industries by reducing greenhouse gas emissions through a circular approach to CO2 utilization.
“eFuels are the most versatile and effective solution for decarbonizing transportation, particularly aviation, and Infinium is proud to spearhead the commercial development of eFuels in the Americas and Europe,” said Infinium CEO Robert Schuetzle. “Our partnership with SMA will help us realize our vision of a carbon-neutral future. The project has the potential to grow and exemplifies our commitment to supporting sustainable mobility. ”
The CO2 will be sourced from SMA Mineral’s and SaltX Technology’s co-owned brand and factory concept, Zero Emission Quick Lime (ZEQL), in Mo i Rana, Norway. The plant will produce both zero-emission quicklime and sustainable aviation fuels and can expand beyond eFuels’ initial capacity in future phases.
SMA’s ZEQL process electrifies lime burning using renewable power and extracts a pure stream of CO2 and therefore does not require an additional carbon capture unit. This new process has a higher degree of stone usage, extending the lifespan of lime resources in a quarry and producing CO2-neutral lime that can help to decarbonize the steel industry, among others.
“Through our expertise in novel, sustainable quicklime production and our agreement with Infinium, SMA is poised to play a significant role in reducing the carbon footprint of multiple sectors that are critical to the European economy,” said Svante Fielding, CEO of SMA. “Together with Infinium, we will help catalyze financial growth in the region, foster employment opportunities, drive technological innovation, and further position Mo i Rana as a strategic hub for industries that propel us toward a more sustainable world.”
Infinium operates the world’s first commercial eFuels plant in Corpus Christi, Texas, and has more than a dozen global projects at various stages of development worldwide.
About Infinium
Infinium is an electrofuels provider on a mission to decarbonize the world. Electrofuels are a new class of synthetic fuels made using renewable power and waste carbon dioxide, not petroleum or resources needed to produce food. Infinium electrofuels can be dropped into existing trucks, planes, and ships, significantly reducing harmful carbon dioxide emissions compared to fossil-based fuels. In addition to helping the transport industry meet carbon reduction goals, Infinium electrofuels are a lower carbon alternative for chemical processing, including plastics production. Learn why Amazon and other leading cleantech investors have chosen Infinium at www.infiniumco.com.
About SMA Mineral
SMA Mineral is one of the largest lime producers in the Nordics and supplies lime products to the steel and paper & pulp industries and beyond. Since its inception in 1980, SMA has been at the forefront of the extraction, processing, and distribution of minerals such as calcium carbonate, and dolomite. With a steadfast dedication to sustainability and environmentally responsible practices, SMA’s minerals serve as crucial components across diverse industries including paper but also water purification and flu gas cleaning. For more information, visit www.smamineral.se
Media enquiries
For Infinium
press@infiniumco.com
For SMA Mineral
sma@smamineral.com
All certified companies meet at set of quality criteria and are continuously followed up through an independent, third-party review. Certification thus ensures that the services provided by approved operators are carried out in a responsible, safe and sustainable way.
Fair Transport is designed as a tool for both those who buy and those who sell transport services. Certification means that both parties are assured that the transport chain is safe, climate-smart and provides good working conditions for employees.
During the last couple of weeks an industrial test campaign using fly ash from a paper mill as a slag former in an electric arc furnace (EAF) has been successfully conducted at Outokumpu Stainless in Avesta. In the trials, 10% of primary lime was replaced with fly ash in more than 60 heats distributed over 10 different steel grades.
The main incentive for using the fly ash as a slag former is that a great share of CO2 emissions can be avoided from the calcination of primary lime. This technique contributes to climate change mitigation, minimizing residues to landfill and saving natural resources.
“We are thrilled to have come to the stage of industrial testing”, says Jesper Janis, General manager Technical & Quality, from Outokumpu Avesta, “We are now looking forward to seeing these successful results leading to the implementation of using fly ash as future raw material in steelmaking, promoting the green transition through industrial symbiosis where one industry´s waste can be processed into the others raw material. This will further enable our circle green product, sustainable stainless steel, even more sustainable with lower carbon footprint.”
The fine fly ash powder from Essity was briquetted together with primary lime fines by SMA Mineral. The industrial campaign is a part of the Vinnova-funded challenge-driven innovation (CDI) OSMET 3.0 project (Dnr. 2020-04140) where this technique has been proven at a pilot scale in a 10-ton EAF at Swerim AB in Luleå.
The co-owned concept is based on SaltX’s patented technology for electric calcination, Electric Arc Calciner (EAC). The technology replaces oil and coal with fossil-free electricity and captures the carbon dioxide released during the intense heating of limestone. SMA Mineral plans to replace its existing plants with the new ZEQL concept. Svante Fielding, CEO of SMA Mineral, says:
“The market has responded in the best possible way, and we look forward to soon starting the construction of the first plant. We have an aggressive plan ahead, making ZEQL one of the most comprehensive electrification initiatives happening in the industry right now.”
The two companies are creating a new joint brand and factory concept to increase awareness and interest in the electrified manufacturing method and, in the future, offer other actors to utilize the concept to minimize their climate impact. Carl-Johan Linér, CEO of SaltX, says:
“The investment in a joint brand and factory concept strengthens our position as a leading player and driver of the industry’s transformation. Our common ambition is for the ZEQL concept to become the new standard for climate-neutral lime production for the entire industry.”
Get to know the concept more at zeql.com.
For more information, please contact:
Carl-Johan Linér, CEO SaltX Technology, +46 705-32 08 08
Svante Fielding, CEO SMA Mineral, +46 738-03 46 78
About ZEQL:
ZEQL [sequel] is an industrial partnership for electrified production of burnt lime co-owned by SMA Mineral and SaltX Technology. The manufacturing method and factory concept include new innovative electrification technology with associated CO2 separation. Our first plant is planned to be completed in 2025. www.zeql.com
About SaltX Technology:
SaltX Technology is a Swedish green-tech company that develops and markets sustainable technology that benefits customers, the climate, and society. The company operates in large-scale energy storage solutions and electrification technology for mainly the lime and cement industry. SaltX Technology’s share is listed on Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market. For more information, visit: www.saltxtechnology.com.
About SMA Mineral:
SMA Mineral is one of the largest lime producers in the Nordics and supplies quicklime to the steel and paper & pulp industries, among others. For more information, visit: www.smamineral.se
The parties have signed a Letter of Intent, which intends to transition into a long-term cooperation agreement if the outcome of the preliminary study is positive. The study will be completed during the current year.
SaltX is in the industrialization phase of its lime production technology, EAC (Electric Arc Calciner), which aims to replace fossil fuels with renewable electricity in a process known as calcination. In it, limestone is heated to elevated temperatures, and the carbon dioxide that is then released is isolated and separated. The technology makes it possible to produce quicklime without emissions from fossil fuels and carbon dioxide from the calcination process.
SMA Mineral and SaltX plan to start the construction of their first joint plant for calcination in 2023 with the goal of supplying around 40,000 tons of climate-neutral quicklime primarily to the steel industry in 2025.
“SSAB is clear that they want climate-neutral quicklime for their steel production. With the new electrified production facilities, we are building together with SaltX, we have good opportunities in the long term to be able to meet the demand from both SSAB and other players”, says Svante Fielding, CEO of SMA Mineral.
“The steel industry is a major emitter of carbon dioxide, and SSAB’s work to produce fossil-free steel is a model for the entire industry. That we at SaltX, with our innovation for electrified calcination, can further speed up this transition makes me both proud and hopeful”, says Carl-Johan Linér, CEO of SaltX Technology.
For more information, please contact:
Svante Fielding, CEO, +46 73 803 46 78
About SaltX Technology:
SaltX Technology is a Swedish greentech company that develops and markets sustainable technology that benefits customers, the climate and society. The company operates in large-scale energy storage solutions and electrification technology for mainly the lime and cement industry. SaltX Technology’s share is listed on the Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market. More information, visit: www.saltxtechnology.com.
About SSAB:
SSAB is a global steel company that is a world leader in high-strength steel and related services. Our vision is to contribute to a stronger, lighter and more sustainable world. SSAB aims to become the first steel company in the world to offer fossil-free steel on the market by 2026, and to largely remove carbon dioxide emissions from its own operations around 2030. For more information, visit: www.ssab.com
About SMA Mineral:
SMA Mineral is one of the largest lime producers in the Nordics and supplies quicklime to the steel and paper & pulp industries, among others. For more information, visit: www.smamineral.se
Celsa Nordic is one of the Nordic region’s largest producers of reinforcing steel. Celsa Nordic has its steel and rolling mill in Mo i Rana, Norway. The reinforcing steel production is based on 100 percent recycled steel scrap. The purpose of the cooperation agreement is to explore the conditions for an electrical and climate-neutral quick-lime production facility in the northern Norwegian town of Mo i Rana. Quick lime is an important element in steel manufacturing.
Celsa Nordic has a strong sustainability profile with the ambition to use hydrogen gas in its production as early as 2025. A joint pilot study is now launched between the parties to investigate the conditions for constructing a new electrified lime plant next to the existing steel mill. Utku Öner, CEO at Celsa Armeringsstål, says:
“For many years, we have had a good relationship with SMA Mineral, which has supplied lime to our process in Mo i Rana. When we had the concept for an electrified and completely climate-neutral lime production presented to us, it became clear that it is the right way forward for the facility in Mo i Rana and has a major impact on reducing our scope 3 emissions.”
SMA Mineral and SaltX’s joint concept for climate-neutral lime production has attracted great interest from several companies in the steel and construction industry. Svante Fielding, CEO at SMA Mineral, says:
“The concept we developed with SaltX is unique, and we have received a positive response from our customers. We are pleased about the trust we have received from Celsa Armeringsstål and look forward to starting the first phase of the collaboration shortly.”
Electrification of the industry is of significant importance to meet global emission targets. During the past year, interest in electrification technology for the sector has increased, which is noticeable in the dialogues SaltX has with the market, Carl-Johan Linér, CEO of SaltX:
“There is a strong driving force, and the willingness to invest in initiatives that replace fossil fuels with renewable energy is growing. With our electrification technology at the core, it is with pride and confidence that we see a new climate-neutral lime industry emerging.”
The partners strive for a long-term collaboration to enable the production of fossil-free steel by 2025.
For more information:
Carl-Johan Linér (CEO SaltX Technology) +46 70 532 08 08
Svante Fielding (CEO SMA Mineral) +46 73 803 46 78
About SaltX Technology:
SaltX Technology is a Swedish Greentech company that develops and markets sustainable technology that benefits customers, the climate, and society. The company operates in large-scale energy storage solutions and electrification technology for mainly the lime and cement industry. SaltX Technology’s share is listed on the Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market. More information, visit: www.saltxtechnology.com.
About SMA Mineral:
SMA Mineral is one of the largest lime producers in the Nordics and supplies quicklime to the steel and, paper & pulp industries, among others. More information, visit: www.smamineral.se
About Celsa Nordic:
Celsa Nordic consists of Celsa Armeringsstål, Celsa Steel Service in Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Celsa Recycling. Celsa Armeringsstål AS is a leading producer of steel in the Nordic countries. Celsa Armeringsstål consists of a melting and rolling mill located in Mo i Rana. The company has a circular value chain that distinguishes them from competitors. The production is based on 100 percent recycled steel scrap equivalent to two Eiffel Towers per week and uses clean hydropower as an energy source. Celsa Nordic strives for a circular collaboration with its partners, works for a circular sustainable future, and is part of the international group Celsa Group with headquarters in Spain. For more information, visit: www.celsanordic.com
