Adven introduces electrification in the energy production at Suominen’s nonwoven plant in Nakkila, Finland
Suominen and Adven have agreed on an electric boiler investment for Suominen’s nonwoven plant in Nakkila, Finland. Starting in the fall of 2025, Adven will supply the steam energy required by the plant using two boilers. With the new 12 MW electric steam boiler, the plant’s energy production will benefit from the favorable spot prices of market electricity.
Previously, the steam energy needed by the Suominen plant was produced with a 12 MW solid fuel boiler using wood chips. In recent years, the demand for wood chips at Finnish heating and power plants has increased significantly, and in some areas, the prices of wood chips have even doubled.
“Thermal energy is playing an increasingly significant role in the energy consumption of the Nakkila plant as the share of sustainable products of the sales grows. In collaboration with Adven, we have explored various future energy production possibilities to ensure environmental friendliness, adequate energy supply, and competitive pricing. After conducting the studies, we concluded that an electric boiler, built alongside the wood chip boiler, is both the most sustainable, cost-effective and flexible solution for the future. The agreement continues our good cooperation with Adven and gives us the opportunity to optimize energy pricing and consumption more efficiently in the future.”, says Piia Tiainen, Plant Director at Suominen’s Nakkila site.
Optimizing energy production based on market electricity prices
The steam energy production at Suominen’s Nakkila plant will be optimized according to the market electricity spot prices. The new electric boiler and the existing solid fuel boiler will alternate in steam production. The optimization principle is simple – energy is always produced using the most affordable option.
“When market electricity is cheap, we use the electric boiler for steam production, and when electricity is more expensive than energy produced with wood chips, we use the solid fuel boiler. The use of the boilers is regulated by an optimization program developed by Adven’s automation experts, which collects data from the electricity market and adjusts the boiler usage on an hourly basis,” explains Jani Moisanen, Adven’s Account Manager.
Industrial green transition achieved faster with partners
Electrification of energy production offers the opportunity to reduce the use of fossil fuels and carbon dioxide emissions. At the Nakkila plant, electricity will also replace the backup and peak power boiler operated on light fuel oil.
Suominen manufactures nonwoven fabrics in Nakkila for wiping and hygiene products as well as healthcare needs. High-temperature steam energy destroys microbes, ensuring the high hygiene level of the nonwovens. Adven has been responsible for steam production at Suominen’s Nakkila plant for twenty years. Partnerships play a crucial role in enabling investments in the industrial green transition.
“Our collaboration began in 2004 when Adven invested in the solid fuel plant at the Nakkila plant. In 2020, our contract was extended, and now our energy partnership is further strengthened with the electric boiler investment. Together with our customer, we successfully addressed the cost challenges brought by the energy transition and operating environment by quickly investing in new technology,” says Moisanen happily.
For more information
Jani Moisanen, Account Manager, Adven, phone: +358 40 514 9387, jani.moisanen@adven.com
Piia Tiainen, Plant Director, Suominen, phone: +358 50 3856 206, piia.tiainen@suominencorp.com
Adven
Adven is a dynamic energy group, driving the energy transition by developing sustainable and competitive solutions in partnership with customers, municipalities, and suppliers. Together, our 580 employees provide households and businesses with heating based on district heating and geoenergy, and industries with steam, heating, cooling and infrastructure services that improve resource efficiency. We have a long and solid track record with more than 50 years of experience within the field. Today we operate over 350 sites in Europe with a total energy volume of 5,6 TWh. Our annual turnover is EUR 383 million, and our total balance sheet EUR 1455 million. Coming together for a future of possibilities, adven.com
Suominen
Suominen manufactures nonwovens as roll goods for wipes and other applications. Our vision is to be the frontrunner for nonwovens innovation and sustainability. The end products made of Suominen’s nonwovens are present in people’s daily life worldwide. Suominen’s net sales in 2023 were EUR 450.9 million and we have nearly 700 professionals working in Europe and in the Americas. Suominen’s shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki. Read more at www.suominen.fi.
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