29 Aug 2024

Umeå Energi Explores Industrial Symbiosis and Future Energy Solutions with Norwegian Mana

Umeå Energi and Umeå Kommunföretag have signed a letter of intent with the Norwegian company Mana. Together, the companies will explore future collaboration opportunities. "What we have in mind is reducing climate impact through an overarching recycling flow of materials and energy," explains Jan Ridfeldt, CEO of Umeå Energi

Mana is owned by NG Group, which in turn is owned by the Swedish fund company Summa Equity, and is based in Oslo. The company works to accelerate the transition to a carbon-free and circular economy by converting waste into new products and clean energy carriers. Summa Equity invests in solutions to global challenges and has approximately 5 billion euros in managed capital.

Waste as a Value-Creating Resource

The partnership between Mana, Umeå Energi, and Umeå Kommunföretag marks another step towards developing future energy solutions and green industry in Umeå, including the potential to use waste as a value-creating resource. This can involve new recycled products, improved conditions for producing heat and electricity, and the production of sustainable aviation fuel.

This aligns with Umeå Municipality’s goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2040.

“Already now, we can see that with Mana, we have great potential to find solutions to replace fossil fuels, develop a residual energy-based district heating business, and create circular material flows. This partnership gives us exciting future prospects,” explains Jan Ridfeldt, CEO of Umeå Energi.

Starting with a Concept Phase

The letter of intent begins with a concept phase where the companies will work out which parts of the waste and energy systems, and at what pace, the collaboration can develop. Umeå Eco Industrial Park, the area at Dåva north of Umeå, will play a central role.

“Umeå Eco Industrial Park will in the future constitute the industrial backbone of Umeå, and we look forward to contributing to the continued development of industrial symbiosis solutions there together with Umeå Energi and partners,” says Jon Bergan, CEO of Mana.

The collaboration is welcomed by Umeå Municipality.

“There are great opportunities in this letter of intent. Partners of Mana’s stature and competence are crucial for us to achieve our ambitious goals, where climate neutrality and job creation are central parts,” says Hans Lindberg, municipal councilor (s), Umeå Municipality.

Jan Ridfeldt agrees.

“This is an opportunity to be at the forefront in an area that is important, not only for us here and now, but also nationally and internationally for a long time to come,” he says.

Text and image: Umeå Energi

In the picture: Adis Cengic, project director clean energy at Mana, with Jan Ridfeldt, CEO of Umeå Energi, and Fredrik Lundberg, CEO and group chief executive of Umeå Kommunföretag.