Tag Archives: alternative
EU Carbon Price Back-Loading Earns Second Chance?
Posted on 21 June 2013 by Vicky Ellis Beleaguered plans to postpone or “backload” carbon allowances under the EU’s Emissions Trading Scheme have been given a boost after MEPs on the EU’s environment committee voted for them a second time. The EU ETS is meant to push businesses towards cutting their emissions by putting a cost on the carbon they emit but allowances have plunged in price from €30 to below €5 a tonne. The EU parliament narrowly rejected the back-loading proposals in April meant to boost this low price but this week’s vote gives back-loading another chance. The European Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) Committee’s proposals would delay the auction of 900 million allowances for carbon emissions from 2013-2015 until 2019-2020. Matthias Groote of the ENVI committee who is steering the legislation through the EU Parliament said: “We now have broader support for a solution that will allow the ETS to fulfil its purpose and support innovation to tackle climate change. I believe the full Parliament will endorse our proposals and let us start negotiations with EU ministers as soon as possible.” Dirk Forrister, President & chief executive of IETA which represents the business community’s views on the carbon markets said the “compromise text” amongst the largest political groups is “an important first-step” ahead of the vote by all MEPs in a couple of weeks. Markus Rauramo, CFO at Finnish energy firm Fortum said he hoped the Parliament and the Council can finalise the decision “rapidly”, adding: “Almost all market-based energy investments are currently on hold in Europe because of the uncertainty regarding the future climate and energy policy frameworks.” The new text is to be put to a plenary vote on July 3 in Strasbourg. Continue reading
UPM And Ashland Inc. To Collaborate On Application Development For UPM Biofibrils Technology
PRESS RELEASE June 18, 2013, 3:29 a.m. ET UPM and Ashland Inc. to collaborate on application development for UPM Biofibrils technology UPM-Kymmene CorporationPress releaseUPM and Ashland Inc. to collaborate on application development for UPM Biofibrils technology(UPM, Helsinki, June 17, 2013 at 11.00 EET) — UPM and Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) have entered into a cooperative agreement to develop and commercialize products containing UPM’s Biofibrils technology. UPM Biofibrils are micro and nanofibrillated cellulose products that can be used for shaping materials and giving them new characteristics. In the biofibrils collaboration UPM and Ashland will jointly study the use of biofibrils in a wide range of industrial application opportunities. For example, biofibrils might be used to improve the quality and performance of a broad array of polymer products ranging from coatings and construction materials to home and car care products as well as energy drilling applications. The collaboration marks a milestone for two companies with extensive expertise in cellulose technology. UPM has pursued research and development of biofibrils technology for several years and has a large portfolio of patent applications and production experience. Ashland has its own research and patents in microfibrillar cellulose technology. “Our collaborative relationship with UPM provides an excellent opportunity to combine the UPM Biofibrils technology with Ashland’s application expertise in order to bring new products and functionalities to our customers. When we combine our strengths and know-how with experts offering new technologies that complement our product lines, we can deliver value-added performance to our customers”, says May Shana’a, Vice President, Technology and Growth Strategy, Ashland Specialty Ingredients. UPM Biofibrils technology is a result of a long-term research and development commitment. Cornerstones of UPM’s Biofore strategy are the versatile use of renewable wood biomass combined with innovation and sustainability. “UPM Biofibrils is a novel biomaterial that allows development of new fibre-based products with exciting properties for the UPM product portfolio. The collaboration with Ashland’s global development team enables further development and commercialization of UPM Biofibrils in several industrial applications”, says Esa Laurinsilta, Director, UPM Biofibrils. For further information, please contact: Esa Laurinsilta, Director, UPM Biofibrils, UPM tel. +358 40 821 0350 Link to the image gallery. UPM Media Desk tel. +358 40 588 3284 (9-16 EET) media@upm.com www.upm.com www.twitter.com/UPM_News UPM New Businesses and Development (NBD) is an important part of UPM’s renewal and Biofore strategy. The objective of NBD is to provide added value to renewable wood raw material by developing ideas into new products and businesses. The key projects are biocomposites, biofibrils and biochemicals. UPM leads the integration of bio and forest industries into a new, sustainable and innovation-driven future. Our products are made of renewable raw materials and are recyclable. UPM consists of three Business Groups: Energy and pulp, Paper, and Engineered materials. The Group employs around 22,000 people. UPM is present in 67 countries and has production units in 17 countries. UPM’s annual sales exceed EUR 10 billion. UPM’s shares are listed on the Helsinki stock exchange. UPM — The Biofore Company — www.upm.com About Ashland In more than 100 countries, the people of Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) provide the specialty chemicals, technologies and insights to help customers create new and improved products for today and sustainable solutions for tomorrow. Our chemistry is at work every day in a wide variety of markets and applications, including architectural coatings, automotive, construction, energy, food and beverage, personal care, pharmaceutical, tissue and towel, and water treatment. Visit ashland.com to see the innovations we offer through our four commercial units — Ashland Specialty Ingredients, Ashland Water Technologies, Ashland Performance Materials and Ashland Consumer Markets. www.ashland.com. Continue reading
Fortum’s Biofuel-Fired CHP Plant Inaugurated In Järvenpää
FortumPress releaseFortum’s biofuel-fired CHP plant inaugurated in JärvenpääEspoo, Finland, 2013-06-14 14:30 CEST (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PRESS RELEASE 14 June 2013 Fortum’s new biofuel-fired plant has been commissioned in Järvenpää, Finland. The plant utilises biofuels to produce district heat for about 34,000 residents in Tuusula and Järvenpää as well as electricity for the national grid. The plant’s annual production is about 280 gigawatt-hours of heat and about 130 gigawatt-hours of electricity. The amount of heat production is equivalent to the annual heat consumption of about 31,000 average-sized Finnish households. Minister of Economic Affairs Jan Vapaavuori and Fortum’s Chief Financial Officer Markus Rauramo inaugurated the biofuel-fired CHP plant on Friday, June 14th, in Järvenpää. “One of the cornerstones of Fortum’s strategy is strong competence in combined heat and power (CHP) production. CHP production is a very energy efficient and low-emissions production form. Moreover, Fortum uses the most biomass for energy production in the Baltic Region. That is another reason why the Järvenpää CHP plant project aligns well with Fortum’s strategy. At the same time, the plant supports Finland’s emissions reduction targets and increases the use of renewable energy,” Fortum’s Chief Financial Officer Markus Rauramo noted in the inauguration speech. Normally, the plant uses only biofuel, mainly forest residues and forest industry by-products, like sawdust and bark. If needed, the plant can also be fuelled with peat and natural gas. Every weekday, some 35 truckloads of biofuel are transported to the Järvenpää plant. The fuel is locally sourced from an approximately 100-kilometer radius from the plant. Acquiring, handling and transporting the fuel provides employment for about 80 people. Fortum invested about 80 million euros in the Järvenpää biofuel-fired plant. During the past three years, Fortum has invested close to 300 million euros in low-emissions energy production in the Helsinki metropolitan area. These eco-friendly plant investments significantly decrease carbon dioxide emissions in the region. Emissions from heat production will decrease by about 70% in the region as a result of the investment. Fortum Corporation Corporate Communications Additional information: Jouni Haikarainen, Vice President, Fortum Heat Division, Finland, tel. +358 40 709 5690 Fortum media phone: +358 40 198 2843 Fortum Fortum’s purpose is to create energy that improves life for present and future generations. We provide sustainable solutions that fulfil the needs for low emissions, resource efficiency and energy security, and deliver excellent value to our shareholders. Our activities cover the generation, distribution and sales of electricity and heat as well as related expert services. Fortum’s operations focus on the Nordic countries, Russia, Poland and the Baltics. In the future, the integrating European and fast-growing Asian energy markets provide additional growth opportunities. In 2012, Fortum’s sales totalled EUR 6.2 billion and comparable operating profit was EUR 1.7 billion. We employ approximately 10,400 people. Fortum’s shares are quoted on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki. Additional information: www.fortum.com/fi Continue reading
