Finnish start-up is reversing traditional technology to remove fossil fuels from industry
It is hard to imagine modern life without the iron, steel, cement, chemicals and everyday plastics produced by heavy industries. According to World Steel Association estimates, the iron and steel sector accounts for between 7 and 9 per cent of man-made CO₂ emissions globally. A further 8 per cent comes from cement making, and the chemicals sector is the third-largest for direct carbon emissions, the International Energy Agency has found.
Until now, even when green electricity has been available in abundance, limitations on its ability to generate high temperatures have precluded its use in heavy industry, which has had to continue deriving its heat from polluting coal, gas and oil. So far, the number of staff involved in developing the technology has been modest. Coolbrook started the year with a headcount of just seven. That had expanded to 23 by October and is expected to reach 30 by the end of the year.
However, whether Coolbrook can go from one working pilot plant in the Netherlands to worldwide adoption of its decarbonising technology is a moot point. Other approaches are also being sought to meet the challenge. Fellow Finnish innovator VTT is also working with industrial partners to trial high-temperature electrified kilns to cut emissions in cement making.