Introduction

In 2005, legislation prohibiting the deposition of organic waste came into effect. The national Swedish goal is that 35% of organic waste is to be recycled by 2016. A plant will offer a long-term solution to the problem by handling waste from the wastewater treatment plants and at the same time produce biogas to be used by upgraded into vehicle gas.

Objectives and target audience

The project goal is to identify a long-term and sustainable solution for handling industrial biosludge and organic waste and also to investigate their use as raw materials to produce biogas for vehicles. This will be achieved through the building of integrated bio-gas plant which will allow large-scale composting.

Financial Resources and Partners involved

Partners involved are: Municipality of Sundsvall, SEAB (Sundsvall Energy), MittSverige Vatten AB (water) Fokusera Utveckling Sundsvall AB (development), Municipality of Timrå, County Council Västernorrland, SCA

Process

This initiative first aims to produce a feasibility study that indicates an appropriate and sustainable solution for the long-term management of sludge and waste in the municipality.
The Preliminary time schedule for the integrated biogas plant is:

• Production of material for environmental impact assessment January -08 to June -09
• Decision to realise an integrated biogas plant June -09
• Preliminary projecting and production of material for building permit, June -09
• Planning June-09 to May –10.
• Plant construction June –10 to November –11
• Commissioning trials November –11 to January –12
• Commissioning February – 12.•

Results

It is anticipated that the biogas plant will allow biosludge generated by the paper mill to be used as compost material and subsequently be upgraded to, for example, vehicle gas. The municipal waste management company, REKO, may have the opportunity in the project’s initial phase to process 540 tonnes of organic waste, currently being incinerated, from household refuse and large-scale kitchens. This practice would potentially be an indicator of environmental consciousness in the community. Furthermore, the fertiliser produced could be of interest to stakeholders involved in forest fertilisation and in tree nurseries.
The municipality will campaign for the establishment of a filling station for vehicle gas in autumn 2008 which will initially be used by the Municipality and associated companies. A number of biogas cars for the municipal vehicle fleet and two refuse collection trucks will be purchased in the first phase.

Critical Success Factors / Challenges

To be able to make it a large-scale plant and to find the right raw materials in the region.
Initially by reports spread regionally and at regional seminars.