Vynova Installs Heat Recovery Unit at VCM Plant in Tessenderlo, Belgium

TAGS:  PVC, Plasticizers and Sustainability    

Vynova has started up a new installation at its Tessenderlo (Belgium) site that uses residual heat for the production of steam. The installation will reduce the energy consumption and CO₂ emissions of the production site. The project represents an investment of 6 million euros.

Plant Produces VCM, an Intermediate for PVC

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 utilizes 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 tons 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 tons per year.

Sustainable Production Process

"This heat recovery installation is part of an overall investment program 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.

Source: Vynova