With the construction of a new energy-efficient electric evaporation plant for caustic soda production, CO₂ emissions in chemical production in Delfzijl can be reduced by up to 25,000 tonnes a year.
Energy partner Adven is starting the construction of an energy-efficient evaporation plant for the production of caustic soda at Nobian in Delfzijl. This will reduce 25,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually. That is an energy saving of 85%. The specialist in salt, essential chemicals and storage caverns, signed the contract with Adven at the Chemie Park. The plant will be operational from 2027. It is the first time for Nobian to use this technology in the evaporation process for caustic soda.
Energy-efficient evaporation plant
The construction of the energy-efficient evaporation plant for caustic soda forms part of a broader, multi-year collaboration between the two companies. In addition to the construction, Adven is also responsible for the management and operation of the plant. The collaboration forms part of Nobian’s ambitious sustainability programme‘Grow Greener Together’. The company’s objective is to be CO₂-neutral by 2040, using 100 per cent renewable energy.
Electrification of caustic soda production process
The core of the new plant is an industrial heat pump running on electricity. In the production of caustic soda, Nobian thus reduces CO₂ emissions to 25,000 tonnes per year. This reduction is comparable to the emissions from around 198 million car kilometres.
Site director of Nobian Delfzijl, Robert Jan Poppen: "We believe that system change is only possible by working together with our customers and partners. That is why we are immensely proud of this cooperation with Adven. With the switch to electricity for this part of the process, we become less dependent on natural gas. This is a big step forward and supports our mission to be carbon neutral by 2040."
Accelerating climate objectives
Nobian aims to become one of the most sustainable chemical companies in the EU. Marco Waas, Chief Technology & Sustainability Officer at Nobian: "Nobian is an indispensable link at the beginning of many industrial production chains in the Netherlands. Through partnerships like this one, we accelerate our sustainability efforts. The construction of this energy-efficient electric evaporation plant is in line with our sustainability agenda. It is one of the concrete projects that contribute to reducing our carbon emissions faster and extra."
Cooperation in energy transition
Energy Partner Adven, with its origins in northern Europe, profiles itself as a dynamic energy group accelerating the energy transition. They develop sustainable and competitive solutions in cooperation with customers, municipalities and suppliers. Victor Donselaar, Country Manager Netherlands, sees opportunities in the Dutch market as natural gas becomes less natural. Many companies in sectors such as chemicals and dairy are switching to more sustainable energy sources and more efficient production through electrification. "In many northern European countries, cooperation in energy transition is the rule rather than the exception. Nobian is leading the way in the Netherlands by making their core process more sustainable. Adven is entirely responsible for design, construction, investment and operational management. As far as we are concerned, cooperation is the key in the energy transition, in that area there are still many steps to be made in the Netherlands."
CO2 neutral in 2030
Customised agreements The cooperation with Adven dovetails well with Nobian's other sustainability initiatives. At the end of 2023, for instance, Nobian signed a Joint Letter of Intent with the Dutch state within the framework of the Maatwerkafraken. This lays down the concrete details of sustainability plans that will enable Nobian to be carbon-neutral as early as 2030. The Maatwerkafraken allow the largest industrial emitters to reduce their emissions extra and faster, on top of the Climate Agreement. Marco Waas: "The construction of this energy-efficient evaporation plant is part of the Maatwerkafraken and includes help with the permitting process, which will speed it up."
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