The value chain for biomethane from the forest industry

About the project

The overall goal of the project has been to identify technically feasible and economically and environmentally sustainable concepts for biomethane production based on cooperation between the forest industry and utilities. The potential for biogas production via AD in the Swedish forest industry is about 1.5 TWh per year. Technically, most of this potential should be possible to realize by 2020. This potential is comparable to the forecasted demand for biogas in public transportation by 2020.

The study specifically explores the integration of anaerobic digestion (AD) in pulp mills. The AD process converts waste streams into valuable fuel for the transport sector, while  the overall re­source efficiency in the wastewater treatment at the pulp mills increases. Simulation models and economic calculations are used to evaluate the potential for biogas production in mills producing bleached kraft pulp. This is complemented by a compilation of related studies to cover the total potential for biogas production in the pulp and paper industry.