Residues become fuels - now it's time for the next step

What is the most effective way to make the transition to a more sustainable society? To do it without anyone noticing. That means introducing new solutions and developing new products that cost no more and have no worse properties than the previous ones - but are simply "greener". 

Anders Edling Hultgren understands this, and it is with this in mind that he founded Votion Biorefineries in early 2022. 

The company produces biofuels, sustainable aviation fuel and biochemicals. Either in its own biorefineries or in collaboration with other players in the industry.

“I previously worked at SCA for ten years, and that's where I got the idea of using the well-established pulp production process - but tweaking it a bit - to create other high-value bioproducts instead,” he says. 

Made from everything from coconut shells to sawdust and straw

The raw materials they use are residual products from the forestry, agricultural and food industries, among others. These include sawdust, bark, nutshells and straw from different parts of the world - but the range of products they can use to make bio-oils is enormous, says Anders Edling Hultgren. 

"I'm in contact with a manufacturer of coconut products who has a lot of coconut shells left over. This is something that could be of interest to us. Also rice husks for that matter, we have tested that in India and it works well. At the moment we are testing with raw materials from olive oil production."

The contact with RISE in Örnsköldsvik was absolutely essential for the establishment of Votion Biorefineries, says Anders Edling Hultgren. 

“We began our collaboration early in 2022. Thanks to their services, I was able to get started without having my own lab, while at the same time being able to be in the lab when the tests were carried out. It has been very worthwhile.”

Being there gave him ideas that he wouldn't have had if he only had access to the final results. 

"I was also able to discuss the process with the good chemists, for example what happens if you change the temperature or add other chemicals. This is something that saves a lot of time and, ultimately, money."

New plant quickly up and running 

Now it's time for Votion Biorefineries to take the next step by establishing its own pilot plant.

"It's a big step, not least financially; it's a costly investment. In any case, I feel confident that we will be able to get the plant up and running quickly once it is in place, by bringing in staff from RISE in the initial phase. They obviously know our business and have full control of our processes."

He also expects the close co-operation with RISE to continue, even when Votion Biorefineries has its own plant.

"We'll always need supplementary lab services, so it's a given that I'll turn to them again. In addition, they are a very good sounding board; we find it easy to find ways forward together," says Anders Edling Hultgren.  

Infrastructure park creates opportunities 

David Blomberg Saitton, business developer at RISE, agrees that their close dialogue has been very rewarding - for both parties. 

-"Anders is a highly qualified client, with long and solid experience. He comes up with questions and ideas that give rise to discussions about solutions that often feel innovative. It's challenging, and it's really exciting and always provides good momentum," he says. 

It has been good to be able to call in different competences during the work with Votion Biorefineries, says David Blomberg Saitton. 

"Because we are an interdisciplinary organisation, we have been able to answer different types of questions that Anders has had along the way. In addition, our well-developed infrastructure park has been very valuable. The opportunities that open up there are very difficult for a start-up company or other smaller companies to access otherwise."