Inauguration of the world's first pine diesel factory

May 19, 2010 by timbercommunity

Now the pine diesel factory SunPine in Piteå is inaugurated. This is the first facility in the world in its class producing diesel from renewable wood. About 100 invited guests watched Peter Roslund, councilor of the Piteå municipaly, inaugurate the pine factory in May 17th. 

- SunPine is a good example of what the energy technology cluster in Piteå has generated. It is a good idea, which today become reality, "said Peter Roslund. - It's a great day for us who invested in SunPine and who regard forest as an important part of the climate shift, as we see huge commercial potential for the end product, "says founder and owner of SunPine, entrepreneur Lars Stigsson.

It was in 2008 the forest companies Södra, Sveaskog and the oil company Preem together with Lars Stigsson invested SEK 250 million in the project to build the world's first pine diesel factory. Production started in April 2010. The factory is located just outside Piteå and has nearly 20 employees. - The goal is to produce 100 000 cubic meters of crude pine diesel per year. The corresponding reduction in carbon dioxide emissions annually is approximately 250 000 tonnes. It is great that the forest can actively contribute to a green shift, "said Magnus Wikman, MD SunPine.
 
SunPine produce crude pine diesel originating from crude pine oil, which is a by-product of wood pulp processing industry. Pine Diesel is refined into high quality diesel fuel at a second process step at the Preem refinery in Gothenburg. The new diesel fuel is classified as a second generation biofuel and becomes fuel for vehicles with diesel engines.