Neste and VTT to Build E-fuels Demonstration Facility

Neste and VTT have agreed to construct an integrated Power-to-Liquids (e-fuels) demonstration facility at VTT's Bioruukki Pilot Centre in Espoo, Finland. The project, which began modifications in June 2022, aims to produce synthetic fuels through carbon capture and green hydrogen production.

The facility is intended to advance the commercialization of e-fuel technologies. It will connect containerized electrolysis, CO2 capture, and synthesis units to VTT's existing research infrastructure, with pilot runs expected to conclude in 2023. This integrated approach seeks to strengthen the cooperation between Neste and VTT in developing e-fuel production from pilot to commercial scale.

"Power-to-Liquids is a potential complementary technology for future sustainable fuel production," stated Lars Peter Lindfors, Senior Vice President, Innovation at Neste. He emphasized the necessity of breakthrough innovations and continued research and development to create cost-efficient, value-adding solutions.

The demonstration facility will utilize CO2 captured from flue gas and hydrogen produced via high-temperature electrolysis. The fuel synthesis will employ Fischer-Tropsch technology. Neste will be responsible for upgrading the synthetic crude oil into fuel products meeting required specifications. Neste anticipates obtaining at least 300 kg of synthetic crude oil from the demonstration for further development.

Neste is actively building solutions for the commercial production of e-fuels. Its Power-to-X business platform, launched in 2019, targets the commercialization of synthetic e-fuels and e-feedstocks. Such pilot projects are designed to develop expertise and provide a platform for process development and R&D in key technology areas.