Germany – The Finnish company UPM-Kymmene selected Siemens Energy to supply electrification, automation, and digitalization packages for a next-generation biorefinery currently under construction in Leuna, 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 will install mill-wide medium- and low-voltage power distribution system and drive systems. This includes a motor control center, variable speed drives and motors. The energy experts will also provide a distributed control system (DCS) for multiple process areas. Also remote I/O cubicles, including safety and ATEX-functions for explosive atmospheres
On top of that Siemens Energy supplies a complete digital twin for the entire plant. It covers the mill’s whole life cycle – from integrated engineering to integrated operation.
2022
The Leuna Biorefinery will be a big step for UPM to expand its business into wood-based biomolecular products and solutions. The biorefinery is scheduled for start-up in late 2022. When fully operational, it will have a total annual capacity of 220,000 tons.
