Press release -
Altia’s new biofuel-fired power plant halves Koskenkorva factory’s carbon dioxide emissions
The biofuel power plant at the Koskenkorva factory uses barley husk as a fuel throughout the year. Located in Ilmajoki, the plant is the first of its kind in Finland both in terms of technology and fuel mix.
The 10 MW boiler plant designed to generate steam for Altia’s Koskenkorva factory will be inaugurated on Monday 24 November. The facility is designed to accept all types of crops biomass.
The primary fuel to be used by the new bio power plant is barley husk, a by-product of the grain-based spirits and starch production process. After being peeled from the barley, the husk is equivalent to straw in terms of combustion properties and calorific value. Husk peeling is an on-going process carried out as part of Altia’s grain-based spirits and starch production throughout the year.
Altia is aiming at up to 65 per cent self-sufficiency in steam production at the Koskenkorva factory. Following the commissioning of the new power plant, peat consumption will fall to one third of the current volume. Until now, outdated power plant technology has limited the use of agrofuels to one third of the total fuel consumption.
The new plant is the first industrial-scale straw-fired facility in Finland. Speaking at the inauguration will be Sirpa Paatero, the minister responsible for state ownership steering.
“Finnish companies are now taking determined steps towards the use of more sustainable production methods and forms of energy. The Koskenkorva biofuel power plant is an excellent example of how production by-products can be utilized in a smart way. We should be proud of this development. I am glad that Altia has decided to invest in Ilmajoki”, the minister says.
Trial operation of the plant began in November. Although the plant has already gone on stream, full production will not commence until January 2015.
“For Altia it’s important that we assume full responsibility for the environment in our business operations in compliance with the principles of sustainable development. On our part, we want to set an example for the versatile uses of crop biomasses. Barley, for one, has many uses,” says Pekka Tennilä, Altia’s Chief Executive Officer.
In addition to straw, in future the plant can be can also be fired by other renewable fuels such as wood chips and reed canary grass. “The investment also makes it possible to increase production capacity. The existing 20 MW plant at the factory will be refurbished in 2015 and its level of automation upgraded,” says Antti Snellman, Director of the Koskenkorva factory.
Altia’s partner on this project is Suomen Teollisuuden Energiapalvelut – STEP Oy. EUR 1.5 million was granted as investment aid for the project by the Ministry of Employment and the Economy. Total investments amount to around EUR 15 million.
Inquiries:
Antti Snellman, Director of the Koskenkorva Factory, Altia Corporation, tel. +358 40 516 1190
Pekka Tennilä, Chief Executive Officer, Altia Corporation, tel. +358 40 821 5302
Topics
- Food, Drink
Categories
- brands
- altia
The Koskenkorva factory produces grain-based spirits for use in the production of Altia’s own brands, such as Koskenkorva and Jaloviina, as well as starch and animal feed. The factory consumes up to 200 million kilograms of domestic barley per year. This amount accounts for nearly 15 per cent of the Finnish barley harvest and 30 per cent of all barley commercially available in the market.
Altia is a leading beverage company in the Nordic and Baltic countries with a product portfolio consisting of wines and spirits. Altia produces, markets, sells, imports and exports its own and partner brand alcoholic beverages in its market area. Altia operates an extensive production, sales and logistics network in the Nordic and Baltic region in order to provide first-class service for its customers, consumers and partners close to the market. Altia’s annual sales total EUR 480 million and the company employs around 1,000 people.
Altia’s own brands include Blossa, Chill Out, Explorer, Grönstedts, Jaloviina, Koskenkorva, O.P. Anderson, Renault, Larsen, Xanté, and Skåne Akvavit. All these brands hold a strong market position, many of them with a long history to cherish. Altia’s portfolio of partner brands represent both local and international brands from across the world, including Codorníu, Drostdy-Hof, Jack Daniel’s, Bowmore, Nederburg, Ravenswood, and Robert Mondavi.
