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Press Release23 June 2021Siemens EnergyMunich
Siemens Energy to electrify first-of-its-kind biorefinery in Germany
The biorefinery will be the first industrial-scale facility of its type ever built. It will apply novel
process innovations to sustainably convert 100 percent wood into bio-based mono-ethylene glycol
(MEG), mono-propylene glycol (MPG) as well as renewable functional fillers (RFF). Both MEG, MPG
as well as functional fillers have traditionally been produced using fossil-based raw materials. UPM
will provide alternatives to considerably reduce the CO2 footprint of end-products such as PET
bottles, packaging materials, textiles, or rubber products used in various automotive applications.
Siemens Energy’s scope of supply for the project includes:
- Electrification: mill-wide medium- and low-voltage power distribution system and drive system (motor control center, variable speed drives, motors)
- Automation: Distributed control system (DCS) for multiple process areas and remote I/O cubicles (total of 9,000 process objects), including safety and ATEX functions for explosive atmospheres
- Digitalization: Complete digital twin for the entire plant, covering the mill’s whole life cycle
– from integrated engineering to integrated operation.
The Leuna Biorefinery will be a big step for UPM to expand its business into wood-based
biomolecular products and solutions.
“We are confident that the bio-based mono-ethylene glycol, mono-propylene glycol, and renewable
functional fillers made in Leuna will meet the strong demand of customers and end-users looking to
change towards a truly sustainable portfolio,” said Juuso Konttinen, Vice President UPM
Biochemicals. “By implementing Siemens Energy’s digitalization solutions and digital twin, we can
help ensure safe and efficient operations.”
The biorefinery is scheduled for start-up in late 2022. When fully operational, it will have a total
annual capacity of 220,000 tons.
“As a global leader in industrial decarbonization, we are proud to be selected as a trusted partner
and facilitator for this groundbreaking project,” said Jennifer Hooper, Senior Vice President,
Industrial Applications Solutions for Siemens Energy. “We look forward to helping UPM reduce the
world’s reliance on chemicals produced from fossil fuels as we move toward creating a more
sustainable world.”
Above: An example of a biorefinery similar to the one UPM-Kymmene is building in Leuna, Germany (photo courtesy of UPM-Kymmene).
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Siemens Energy is one of the world’s leading energy technology companies. The company works with its customers and partners on energy systems for the future, thus supporting the transition to a more sustainable world. With its portfolio of products, solutions and services, Siemens Energy covers almost the entire energy value chain – from power generation and transmission to storage. The portfolio includes conventional and renewable energy technology, such as gas and steam turbines, hybrid power plants operated with hydrogen, and power generators and transformers. More than 50 percent of the portfolio has already been decarbonized. A majority stake in the listed company Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE) makes Siemens Energy a global market leader for renewable energies. An estimated one-sixth of the electricity generated worldwide is based on technologies from Siemens Energy. Siemens Energy employs more than 90,000 people worldwide in more than 90 countries and generated revenue of around €27.5 billion in fiscal year 2020.