At SMA Mineral’s facility in Luleå, a development project is underway with the aim of recovering more of the quicklime through briquetting. The initiative is a step towards improved resource efficiency, reduced waste, and increased circularity in production.
During the production and handling of quicklime, fine fractions are generated in the form of dust and small particles. This material does not always perform optimally in steel industry processes, meaning parts of the raw material cannot currently be fully utilised.
To improve material recovery, SMA Mineral has initiated a project in which fine fractions are pressed into larger and more durable briquettes. Through this process, more of the lime can be used in customers’ processes while also simplifying handling.
“The aim of the project is to better balance production with demand and become more flexible. Converting the fine fractions into briquettes also brings both economic and environmental benefits,” says Patrick Riikkula, Site Manager in Luleå.
The project is still in its development phase and several technical challenges remain. A key focus is ensuring a consistent and stable material mix before briquetting.
The process of finding the right technical solution has also been complex. In the end, a Polish supplier was selected, and is now developing a solution tailored to the Luleå facility.
Testing is planned for later in the summer to verify quality and ensure that the briquettes perform reliably in customers’ processes.
If the project proves successful, the technology could also be implemented at other SMA Mineral facilities.
“If the results are sufficiently good, we will proceed with implementing the technology at other sites as well,” says Anton Niemi, Project Manager for the initiative.
The project is rooted in a local ambition to reduce waste, but is also part of a broader effort to improve resource efficiency and support more circular material flows within industry.
SMA Mineral AB
Box 329
682 27 Filipstad
SWEDEN
