We continue our series of articles on the important test and demonstration environments in the region – a prominent infrastructure that has helped many innovations scale up and take the next step in their development. Next up is the Biomass Technology Centre (BTC) in Umeå, a pilot plant designed for research, development, and innovation in the processing of solid biomass and industrial bio-based by-products.
With 25 years of experience, the Biomass Technology Centre (BTC) in Umeå offers companies and researchers from around the world the opportunity to benefit from their expertise and unique equipment. The centre is operated by the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), and at Röbäcksdalen, the team works to realize biotechnological ideas by combining high technology with practical experience.
BTC provides support for both the development and optimization of biomass processing processes, which is particularly valuable for companies looking to maximize the use of bio-based raw materials. Operations manager Gunnar Kalén believes there are great advantages to having a small and cohesive team – they complement each other successfully.
Markus Segerström, technician and research engineer, who has worked at BTC for 14 years, contributes his practical skills and ensures everything runs smoothly.
Gunnar is fundamentally a chemist and has a great understanding of the chemistry in various process steps and knows the mechanical parts of the pilot plant that he has helped build.
The two-man team enables quick decisions and a smooth transition from idea to action, something that customers appreciate.
– There are no long decision paths, and our customers appreciate the direct dialogue we can offer, says Gunnar.
BTC's testbed is used to develop and scale up new bio-based products, allowing companies to experiment and develop new solutions in a controlled environment. Gunnar believes it is important to truly understand the customer's challenges.
– The first step is to ensure that we fully understand each other. Perhaps the customer's challenge is not what they really need, the most important thing is that we approach it correctly.
Gunnar has over 25 years of experience in chemistry and process development, giving him a deep understanding of both the chemical and mechanical parts of the work.
– Often, customers have a rather vague idea of what they want. Then it becomes our task to consult and help them find the right way forward, says Gunnar.
As we walk around the facility, it becomes clear what a broad offering BTC has. It is possible to grind down a material to a few millimeters while producing several tons.
With advanced equipment, including a neutron spectrometer unique in biofuels, BTC can offer detailed characterization of biomass and by-products. This has helped in the development of bio-based products with specific properties.
– The spectrometer shoots neutrons at the material and provides an exact distribution of different substances. It is invaluable for, for example, separating contaminated material, which is particularly important in research on recycled building wood where we participate in a Formas project, explains Gunnar.
The neutron spectrometer is unique in the use of biofuels. This allows BTC to offer detailed characterization of biomass and by-products.
The pilot plant allows companies to test their ideas and processes on a larger scale than in a laboratory environment, which can be crucial for demonstrating proof-of-concept and attracting investors.
Over the years, many projects have passed in review – here they have made briquettes from old Volvo interiors to pellets from Portuguese algae.
– Previously, we worked a lot with pelleting, but it is quite well-researched now. Today, it is more about testing and extracting new, unusual materials from biomass. By-products have become very relevant – nothing is thrown away anymore, and we constantly receive new exciting assignments on how it can be used, says Gunnar.
– The forest industry also goes up and down depending on the economy. For a while, everything from stumps to branches and needles was in focus for energy purposes, and then it subsided. But it changes all the time, now the needles are relevant for extracting chemicals instead, notes Gunnar.
Many of BTC's customers return, and several collaborations lead further in various ways.
– Several times our discussions have been the start of research projects where we jointly seek funding. We have also been involved in patent issues, says Gunnar.
Gunnar finds the work at BTC both challenging and meaningful, especially considering the role the center plays in the green transition.
– I find it very interesting to work here. The different challenges you get – one day is not like the other – and the contacts with customers are incredibly rewarding. It feels meaningful to work with something that actually makes a difference in transition times, he says.
– I thrive in the creative environment, it is varied and fun to work with problem-solving and design of experimental setups, says Markus.
Over the past 25 years, BTC has built up a broad international network. Customers from all over the world find their way to the testbed, which has made a name for itself for high competence and cutting-edge technology.
The opportunities available here for companies and researchers to test, develop, and scale up their ideas are unique – and the drive to make a difference is strong.
– It is very rewarding to work with meaningful challenges and see how our collaborations lead to real results that benefit the planet, they both conclude.
Caption: Operations manager Gunnar Kalén and Markus Segerström, technician and research engineer, have nearly 40 years of combined experience. A dynamic duo that has helped many innovations and projects move forward. Here they stand next to the mill, which is often used to grind down various materials.
FACTS/What BTC can offer
Click here to read more about the Biomass Technology Centre!
More articles in the series:
Green testbeds part 1: Reselo and the Future of Rubber Manufacturing
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International Business Developer
nina.rismalm@umea.se +46 70 256 82 84Umeå
International Business Developer
helena.nasstrom@ri.se +46 73 275 10 83Örnsköldsvik
