Vynova has started up a new installation at its Tessenderlo (Belgium) site that uses residual heat for the production of steam. Thanks to this project, the energy consumption and CO2 emissions of the production site will be significantly reduced. The project represents an investment of 6 million euros.
The new heat recovery unit at Vynova's VCM plant in Tessenderlo, Belgium.
Vynova produces various basic chemicals in Tessenderlo, including vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), an essential intermediate for the production of PVC. PVC is a versatile polymer that is mainly used in building and construction (for example for window profiles, flooring, pipes and electrical cables). It is also vital for the production of medical devices such as blood bags, respiratory masks and medical tubing.
To further improve the sustainability performance of the VCM production process, Vynova has constructed a heat recovery unit on two cracking furnaces of its Tessenderlo VCM plant. The unit utilises residual heat from the cracking furnaces to generate steam. That steam is used in the existing production process to further purify products. The investment was carried out with the financial support of the Flemish government.
On an annual basis, Vynova will be able to generate 80,000 tonnes of steam that was previously generated via natural gas-powered steam boilers. This represents an annual energy saving of 65,000 MWh, which corresponds to the energy consumption of 2,850 households. In addition, the new unit will reduce the site's CO2 emissions by 12,000 tonnes per year.
(read more below the picture)
The project team, with the new heat recovery installation in the background.
More sustainable production process
"This heat recovery installation is part of an overall investment programme in new technologies to make our plants even more sustainable and efficient. Since 2016, we have already invested over 150 million euros at our Tessenderlo site," explains Dimitri Wouters, Site Manager of Vynova Belgium.
"We are now further reducing the energy consumption of our site, resulting in a more sustainable production process and a lower CO2 footprint," concludes Wouters.
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About Vynova
Vynova is a leading European PVC and chlor-alkali company. Our products play a key role in manufacturing numerous industrial products and consumer goods that improve our quality of life. With production sites in five countries and 1,250 committed employees, we generate annual sales of 1 billion euros.
Established in 2015, Vynova is the chlor-vinyls platform of the International Chemical Investors Group (ICIG). Our product offering comprises multiple grades of suspension PVC (S-PVC), KOH and other potassium derivatives, caustic soda (NaOH) and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl).
For more information, visit www.vynova-group.com.
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Contact:
Yannick Brusselmans
Group Communication Manager
Phone: +32 479 32 34 99
Email: yannick.brusselmans@vynova-group.com
