The first batch of Cyrene exported to the US from Norske Skog Boyer earlier this year. |
Since earlier this year, the Norske Skog Boyer paper mill has been producing a non-toxic solvent from byproducts of the papermaking process. In January, the first batch was exported to the US for testing.
Called Cyrene, the bio-based solvent is being produced in a prototype plant built at Boyer in a joint venture between Norske Skog and the Circa Group that aims to replace harmful fossil-fuel-based chemicals.
The product is now being used in a project aimed at developing the UK's industrial scale capability to reclaim and reuse the most valuable components of electrical vehicle batteries. With the world's electric car fleet passing 5.1 million last year and expected to reach at least 130 million by 2030, this will lead to millions of tonnes of spent batteries in need of recycling.
Trials involving the University of York are using Cyrene to recover polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) from lithium-ion batteries, instead of the previous method using a toxic solvent. Cyrene, by comparison, is made at New Norfolk from cellulose extracted from radiata pine.
A 2.5kg bottle of Cyrene. |
Circa Group chief executive Tony Duncan said the business was proud to be part of a project looking to create a more sustainable automotive economy. "Our bio-based solvent Cyrene is once again proving to be a high-performing and more sustainable alternative to traditional solvents,” he said.
With grant funding from Innovate UK, the product has also been involved in tests of its suitability in the removal of paint and graffiti.
Earlier this year, Tasmanian Senator Richard Colbeck welcomed news that Cyrene had been approved for sale in the European Union, noting that the Federal Government had provided Norske Skog with $1.5 million to support the development of the non-toxic, bio-based solvent, matching a contribution from the State Government. “That funding established the feasibility of building a commercial-scale advanced manufacturing facility in Tasmania to produce platform and specialty biochemicals from certified, renewable plantation forest biomass wastes," Senator Colbeck said.
The Cyrene pilot plant at Boyer. |
"The European Union is cracking down on some hazardous chemicals and approval for these new products shows how our innovative forestry industry can tap into these types of markets. It also demonstrates how the emerging global forest economy is creating opportunities for the Australian forest and wood products industry to use all parts of the tree to create innovative bioproducts.
“The development of new and innovative uses of timber and wood confirms the importance of the Government’s National Forest Industries Plan. “New uses will create new demand for timber and confirms the need to plant a billion more trees also confirms how global demand is projected to quadruple by 2050," Senator Colbeck said.
A terrific innovation story for Tasmania and a positive example of what can be achieved through targeted investment in proven science & technology. Congratulations to the workers at Boyer involved in this 21st century research and to the Tasmanian & Commonwealth governments for having the vision to support the R&D of Cyrene.
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