02 Oct 2024

88 Million from the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth to Reduce Emissions at Boliden Rönnskär

Boliden Rönnskär, Sweden’s only smelter for base metals, accounts for 80 percent of the industry’s carbon dioxide emissions in Västerbotten, Northern Sweden. Now, the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth, through the EU’s Just Transition Fund, is granting Boliden Mineral AB 88 million SEK to accelerate the transition to low-carbon production.

Boliden Rönnskär produces base metals and is one of the world’s largest recyclers of metal from electronic materials. In 2023, the smelter ranked 11th among the 746 facilities with the highest carbon dioxide emissions in Sweden. The emissions are primarily caused by metal recycling, but this process is also crucial for reducing the extraction of raw materials. Recycling is also fundamental for obtaining the metals required for society’s climate transition.

Boliden has committed to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 42 percent by 2030. This goal has been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative, a method companies can use to set scientifically grounded climate targets in line with the Paris Agreement. To achieve this goal, several measures need to be taken.

Currently, oil is used as fuel to produce steam, which is needed in Rönnskär’s manufacturing processes. To replace the oil, the project supported by the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth will deliver two new electric boilers, a new boiler house, new transformers, and new electric power supply. The project aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 7,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalents per year, as well as reduce nitrogen oxide emissions.

“The support from the Just Transition Fund accelerates Boliden Rönnskär’s transition and contributes to a climate-neutral and competitive metal industry in Västerbotten. This is important, not only for Västerbotten but for all of Sweden, and brings us closer to the climate goals of the Paris Agreement,” says Elisabeth Backteman, Director General of the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth.

Just Transition Fund

The Just Transition Fund is part of the European Green Deal, the EU’s new growth strategy. The fund focuses on industries and regions with very high carbon dioxide emissions and aims to ensure that the industry’s climate transition occurs while maintaining competitiveness. The program includes approximately 2.9 billion SEK, including national co-financing, for the climate transition of the steel industry in Norrbotten, the metal industry in Västerbotten, and the mineral industry in Gotland. The funds from the fund will be used for investments in new climate-smart and resource-efficient technology, skills enhancement for employees, research, and strengthening the power grid.