FAQ

What is the difference between torrefied biomass and biocoal?

Torrefied biomass and torrefied biocoal are synonymous terms, though "torrefied biomass" is the more common and preferred term of the two. "Torrefaction" refers to the technology used to create the final product, while "biomass" is the term for the raw material in the process. The final product of the torrefaction process is also colloquially known as biocoal, though technically, biocoal is the result of the biomass pyrolysis process (a higher temperature process).

What is biocoal used for?

In the initial phase, Joensuu Biocoal Oy’s biocoal is used locally for energy production and as a raw material in industries such as steel and cement manufacturing. In the future, the goal is to produce a higher-grade final product that can be also used for carbon capture, such as in soil improvement or stormwater filtration.

Does biocoal smell?

Biocoal has a characteristic tar like odour during the production process. However, stored briquetted biocoal has little to no smell.

What does biocoal look like when ready to use?

Joensuu Biocoal's biocoal is briquetted, meaning it is compressed into dense cylindrical shapes using a specialised briquetting machine.

How does biocoal sequester carbon in the soil?

Biocoal, which is roasted in oxygen-free conditions, does not decompose (or decomposes very slowly, over hundreds of years) like untreated plant material. When added to the soil, it sequesters carbon, forming a permanent carbon sink. Unlike oil, it is not harmful or toxic to nature but rather acts as a soil enhancer, improving, for example, crop yields.

Why is biocoal a better alternative to fossil fuels?

Biocoal comes from renewable raw materials and does not release "new carbon" into the atmosphere. The problem with fossil fuels is that their use releases additional carbon into the atmosphere, which has been stored for millions of years and cannot be removed except by recapturing it in some way. The benefits of biocoal lie in its ability to sequester carbon back into the soil, removing it from the carbon cycle. Additionally, the production of biocoal is carbon-neutral and does not produce emissions.

Can biocoal be purchased somewhere?

Biocoal in briquette form is not yet available to consumers. However, it has the potential to meet the growing energy needs of developing countries, either for household use or in new power plants.

What environmental impact will the new production plant have?

The new production plant will not cause environmental harm. The torrefaction process uses gases released from the raw material for the necessary heat and energy production. The by-products refined in the torrefaction process are currently only used for energy production, making them a renewable raw material source. Joensuu Biocoal Oy’s production plant uses low-grade fractions from sustainable PEFC- or FSC-certified Finnish forestry and forest management, mainly wood bark and thinning wood, adding value to the forestry sector's production chains. The torrefaction process results in a higher degree of refinement of the by-products than their direct use for energy.

The goal of the production plant is to reduce environmental impacts and potentially reverse them by returning the carbon stored in the raw material back to the soil.

Will the new production plant affect local traffic levels?

Raw material and product transportation will be carried out by trucks, with an estimated total of 30-35 trucks per day on working days. These transports will mainly take place during the daytime on weekdays. Personal vehicle traffic in the area will not increase significantly, as most of the plant's operations will be handled by the current power plant staff. Heavy traffic to the area will use the same route as the existing heavy traffic to the power plant, via Ilomantsintie to Ivontie and then to the power plant.

Will the new production plant create local jobs?

The estimated employment impact during the construction phase of the plant is approximately 60 person-years. During the operational phase, the plant will directly employ 10-12 people and indirectly around 120 people through the biomass procurement  and logistics.

Where does the raw material come from?

The necessary raw material is sourced from domestic, sustainably certified forestry and its harvesting chains. The finished product is used in Finland or nearby regions.

Who owns the production plant?

The production plant is owned by Joensuu Biocoal Ltd., and the plant’s operations are managed by Savon Voima. Joensuu Biocoal Ltd. has been financed by Taaleri and a group of domestic family-owned investment companies. In addition, the company is financed by the Climate Fund, which has granted the project a €5.0 million capital loan, and the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment, which has granted the project €3.35 million in support from the European Regional Development Fund.

Will this bring money to Joensuu?

The production plant will create local jobs, and the timber procurement will also increase the region's income.

Why Iiksenvaara?

The Savon Voima site already has the necessary infrastructure and the opportunity to utilise equipment and services rented and provided by Savon Voima to Joensuu Biocoal Oy. The location is also advantageous in terms of raw material availability and logistics.

Joensuu Biocoal Oy aims to ensure the suitability and scalability of new torrefaction technology to an industrial scale. The raw material produced, torrefied biomass, can be directly used commercially, for example, in heavy process industry heat and energy production.