AVR to Capture CO2 in Holland

Dutch waste-to-energy company, AVR, has announced plans to construct a large-scale CO2 capture system at one of its incinerators, after signing a long-term distribution agreement.

Starting April 2019, the agreement with gas and services firm Air Liquide will see AVR capture, purify and liquefy CO2 from its waste incinerator in Duiven, the Netherlands.

The construction of the CO2 capture plant in means that 60 Kton CO2 is expected to be captured and recycled. This is 15% of the total CO2 emissions in Duiven.

Distribution

Air Liquide will invest in the necessary distribution and storage equipment to deliver the liquid CO2 to end-users, primarily in the greenhouse agriculture industry, contributing to local circular economy.

The liquid CO2 produced by AVR will be distributed by Air Liquide, which will make investment associated with the transport fleet as well as the cryogenic storage and gas distribution installations for the end users, primarily in the greenhouse agriculture industry.

Under the agreement, Air Liquide will provide the expertise in the liquid CO2 value chain as well as solutions for injection and atmosphere control for the greenhouse agriculture sector.

According to the companies, demand for liquid CO2 for greenhouse agriculture has been growing. Air Liquide and AVR said they have collaborated to ensure greater flexibility and higher delivery reliability.

Industry response

Michiel Timmerije, director of energy & residues at AVR, said: “After a lot of effort and development this first installation is for AVR a test case that should result in making capture installations more efficient in the future and will help to utilize residual waste for a 100%. We are researching the possibilities of building a similar CO2 capture installation at our location in Rozenburg (Port of Rotterdam).

“We aim for the capture and application of 800,000 tonnes of CO2 annually. To achieve this we don’t only look at greenhouse horticulture, but also at the sustainable applications of CO2 for example in building materials such as concrete, basic chemistry for plastics and biofuels.”

Lars Strandberg, vice president Air Liquide North West Europe, said: “We are pleased to partner with AVR. This project will strengthen the liquide CO2 supply and availability for this growing market. Air Liquide is committed to improve and optimise the CO2footprint and thus contribute to circular economy.”

Berno Schouten, Lingezegen Energy, added: “At the moment we use 20 to 25 million m3 of gas with which we produce heat, electricity and CO2 for several greenhouse horticulture companies. We are constantly looking for alternative sustainable energy sources to heat greenhouses. The switch to sustainable energy sources goes hand in hand with a sustainable and reliable CO2 source. We wholeheartedly support this AVR initiative and pave the way for us to take further steps in the phasing out of fossil fuels. “ (Letsrecycle)