Danish government invests ten billion kroner in pyrolysis technology to combat CO2 emissions

For many, pyrolysis is simply about oven cleaning. However, it plays a crucial role in the green transition, particularly in reducing the agricultural sector’s significant CO2 emissions. The Danish government has allocated ten billion kroner towards developing this method.

Despite previous skepticism from the Climate Council, which referred to pyrolysis as an immature technology, the company Stiesdal Skyclean has inaugurated Denmark’s largest pyrolysis plant in Vrå, North Jutland. This facility transforms biogas residues from livestock manure into biochar, a process akin to the chemical reactions that occur during the combustion of grease and grime in an oven.

In the pyrolysis operation, residual materials from biogas plants are dried and compressed into pellets, which then enter a pyrolysis oven heated to 600 degrees Celsius. After approximately 20 minutes, biochar is produced, which can be applied to fields to sequester carbon that would otherwise be released as CO2 into the atmosphere.

Henrik Stiesdal, owner of Stiesdal Skyclean, emphasizes the significance of this process in combating excess atmospheric CO2. With hopes for the technology to contribute to climate preservation, Climate Analyst Filip Knaack Kirkegaard notes that politicians view pyrolysis as a key strategy to achieve climate goals.

To support this expensive technology, the government has earmarked ten billion kroner, with the new facility receiving 142 million kroner. According to Stiesdal, scaling up the technology is essential for economic viability, similar to the initial challenges faced by the wind energy sector. Once fully operational, the pyrolysis plant is expected to sequester 42,000 tons of CO2.