25 years of collaboration for industrial symbiosis in Avesta
The essence of the decades-long partnership between Adven and Outokumpu lies in harnessing waste heat from Outokumpu’s steel production. Together, the companies have established an energy system that benefits all stakeholders, ensuring no byproducts go to waste. This scenario creates a win-win-win situation for businesses, residents, and the environment.
“Utilizing existing energy instead of relying on new fuels is the future. This approach is only possible through strong collaboration that ensures benefits for all parties involved,” says Caroline Soini, Energy Engineer at Outokumpu.
For a quarter of a century, Adven and Outokumpu have collaborated in Avesta, where approximately 700 people are employed. The site produces duplex stainless steel, a material first developed in Avesta back in 1930. This year, Outokumpu celebrate the 100th anniversary since the first stainless steel was melted. The facility in Avesta includes the entire production chain required for a steel mill, featuring a melt shop, a hot rolling mill, a cold rolling mill, and finishing lines. Additionally, it houses Outokumpu Group’s key research and development center.
Turning waste into profit
At the Avesta steel plant, Outokumpu heats and cools steel slabs before rolling and treating them. The step beam furnace, one of the furnaces used to heat the steel before rolling, gradually lifts the steel through the furnace using lifting beams. This process requires temperatures between 1100 and 1200 degrees Celsius, consuming large amounts of fuel. Immediately after heating, the steel is cooled down again, and the excess heat, which previously would have been released into the atmosphere, is now being repurposed through this collaboration.
“We are a steel mill, and with that comes vast amounts of waste heat. This makes collaboration essential, as Adven can now harness our waste heat and put it to good use,” says Caroline Soini from Outokumpu.
Currently, Adven captures approximately 40 GWh of waste heat from Outokumpu’s Avesta steel plant, enough to provide heating for around 1,500 to 2,000 homes. Going forward, Adven and Outokumpu aim to capture an additional 40 GWh from another heat treatment furnace in the industrial process. This would double the amount of waste heat utilized to 80 GWh—heat that would otherwise have been lost.
“This is hot air at 100 to 150 degrees Celsius that is currently being vented out through the roof. We are now exploring how we can capture this hot air and convert it into district heating,” says Lars Sjökvist, Adven’s waste heat expert, who has been involved since the start of the collaboration.
Better system – less fuels
The collaboration between Outokumpu and Adven is actually a partnership that benefits three parties. Since Adven owns the district heating network in Avesta, the neighboring Karl Hedin sawmill also benefits. Caroline Soini from Outokumpu sees only advantages in another industry benefiting from the steel plant’s byproducts.
“Given the high temperatures in our steel processes, we can help supply Karl Hedin’s sawmill with heat levels that would otherwise be challenging to achieve,” says Caroline Soini.
The sawmill faced a situation where the capacity of its biomass boiler was no longer sufficient. Instead of building an additional boiler, the mill was able to use the excess energy from Outokumpu. These needs were coordinated with Adven as the common energy partner, overseeing the energy system. The benefit is that the heat comes at a lower production cost and is more environmentally friendly, as waste heat does not emit carbon dioxide.
“What we have created is unique, and we have received a lot of positive feedback for the system we have developed. It is a bit like solving a puzzle when we build a system where multiple parties benefit from each other,” concludes Lars Sjökvist.
Adven is now working to ensure that the energy system in Avesta is 100% powered by renewable and recycled fuels. This approach is at the heart of Adven’s business strategy—to accelerate the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, not only within its operations but also for industries aiming to reduce their environmental impact. This approach not only benefits the climate but also increases profitability over time.
Facts about the energy system in Avesta:
- The entire energy system produces 236 GWh of heat.
- The collaboration between Adven and Outokumpu has lasted for over 25 years and continues to develop.
- Continuously, Adven and Outokumpu aim to increase the amount of waste heat to capture a total of 80 GWh from Outokumpu’s steel production.
- The district heating network in Avesta was built around 1940 and initially ran on coal, coke, and oil, which have gradually been phased out.
Read more about Adven’s industrial partnerships:
Arla Vimmerby increases capacity but cuts emissions and costs
Long-term partnership with Nynas saves 2 million tons of CO2
40-year partnership boosted with a new sustainable investment
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