Pioneering project for emission-free lime in Mo i Rana

Lime is crucial for both industry and agriculture, but the production of lime and cement accounts for as much as 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Enova is now providing NOK 287 million in support for a project that will help to crack the code and set a completely new standard in Mo i Rana.

SMA Mineral is receiving support from the Norwegian state-owned company Enova to build an innovative new lime kiln that runs on renewable energy and captures the carbon dioxide released during lime production while producing clean burnt lime.

The new technology, which uses a plasma generator, eliminates all greenhouse gas emissions from lime production. Instead, the captured carbon dioxide is intended to be used for the production of sustainable fuels, including for aviation, which will further contribute significantly to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

International diffusion potential

The technology has dissemination potential and represents a significant advance for Norway, Sweden and the rest of the world. Enova grants SEK 287 million in support to SMA Mineral to implement a pilot with this technology.

– Emission-free lime is important for industry, especially for the steel industry. These emissions are very difficult to decarbonize, so we are very pleased to be able to support a pilot project that will contribute to the realization of zero emission lime, says CEO of Enova, Nils Kristian Nakstad.

He adds: – This technology can have great dissemination potential for the industry, even beyond Norway’s borders.
The project is supported by Enova’s “Industry 2050” support program. SMA Mineral is one of the largest suppliers of quicklime to steel producers in the Nordic region.

– This is very exciting and good news for us at SMA Mineral and for the entire industrial environment in Mo Industrial Park. It is an important step on the way to realizing a new factory for zero-emission lime in Mo i Rana, says CEO of SMA Mineral, Svante Fielding.

Facts about the project:

• SMA Mineral is a family-owned Swedish company specializing in the production and sale of lime products, with its headquarters in Sweden and operations in Northern Europe.
• The current lime kiln in Mo i Rana was built about 50 years ago to supply AS Norsk Jernverk (now Celsa Armeringsstål) with lime for steel production. SMA Mineral has operated the plant since 1999.
• SMA Mineral’s new calcining technology is called ZEQL, a trademark jointly owned by SaltX Technology AB and SMA Mineral AB. More information about ZEQL can be found at www.zeql.com.
• The investment decision is expected to be made in the spring of 2025.