Reduciner to begin construction of pilot plant in Ranua

Reduciner has made an investment decision and will begin construction of an industrial-scale pilot plant in Ranua, Northern Finland. The plant will utilise carbon dioxide to produce biogenic activated carbon as the company moves towards commercial production. Commissioning is planned for late 2027. 

VTT spin-off Reduciner is moving its Ranua project from planning to construction. The company aims to produce activated carbon from carbon dioxide and biogenic carbon in a continuous process. Reduciner is also planning an investment to utilise carbon monoxide-rich synthesis gas (CO-rich syngas) for energy and heat generation at the same plant. The pilot plant is a key part of the commercialisation of Reduciner’s technology. It will combine commercial production and customer deliveries with technology development under industrial operating conditions. 

“The Ranua plant will enable us to begin supplying our products to customers and further develop our products, particularly activated carbon, to meet their needs. Customer feedback and production experience will help us develop our business and plan our next, larger commercial-scale plants,” says Johanna Grönroos, CEO and founder of Reduciner. 

Nearly EUR 1 million in funding for investment and development 

The Economic Development Centre of Northern Finland has awarded Reduciner approximately EUR 993,000 for a project supporting the transition to a circular economy. The business development grant will fund investments and development activities related to activated carbon processing. The project is co-funded by the European Union. 

The funding will support the construction of the Ranua plant and, in particular, the development of the activated carbon production process. 

Continuous operation and technology development 

The Ranua pilot plant is intended to utilise a carbon dioxide side stream from the biogas plant operated by Pohjois-Suomen Biokaasu Oy. The project will create an entirely new use for local biogenic carbon dioxide that currently goes unused. 

“At Ranua, we will operate the process continuously and test the technology under industrial operating conditions. Long production runs will provide data on process stability and product consistency, allowing us to improve operations based on practical experience. This operating experience will be an important basis for the design of our next, larger plants,” says Sampsa Vuori, COO and founder of Reduciner. 

Reduciner’s electrically heated process converts biogenic carbon and carbon dioxide into activated carbon and CO-rich syngas. The company’s application development work focuses on activated carbon products for gas and water purification, as well as electrode materials for supercapacitors, among other uses. Product suitability for different applications is being assessed in collaboration with customers. 

The target for commissioning is late 2027. 

Further information 

Johanna Grönroos 
CEO and founder 
Reduciner Oy 
johanna.gronroos@reduciner.com 
+358 400 741 075 

Reduciner Oy 

Reduciner is a Finnish deep-tech startup that turns carbon dioxide emissions into valuable raw materials and develops solutions for the efficient utilisation of carbon dioxide emissions. The company’s technology converts carbon dioxide and biochar into valuable raw materials such as synthesis gas and activated carbon. Spun out of VTT, Reduciner combines strong scientific expertise with industrial applications. 
It offers a sustainable and cost-effective way to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and create new value from carbon dioxide emissions. 

Further information: www.reduciner.com